South Africa has demanded the International Court of Justice order Israel to immediately halt its military operations as a temporary measure to protect Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The hearings began on Thursday in the Dutch city of The Hague. South Africa filed a lawsuit on December 29, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The ICJ serves as the main judicial body of the United Nations.

A representative of South Africa said that unless steps are taken to intervene in situations where Israel disregards international obligations, the consequences would be "very grave" for Palestinians in Gaza, who remain at risk of "further genocidal acts."

South Africa asserts that Israel has violated the Genocide Convention, which obliges its parties to prevent and punish genocide. The treaty defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Both South Africa and Israel are signatories of the convention.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at South Africa.

He said in a video message that those who defend a terrorist organization that has committed the most horrific crimes against Jews since the Holocaust are "audacious."

He added that "the hypocrisy of South Africa screams to the heavens."

The hearings will continue on Friday. Some media outlets are reporting that the court is expected to make the decision in several weeks at the earliest.