Israel says it seeks to protect citizens in Gaza and also accuses Hamas of using Palestinians as human shields - an accusation that Hamas denies. It says it must have the right to defend itself after Hamas' cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people.
Responding to a case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netanyahu said Israel's commitment to international law was "unwavering" but he added in a statement: "Like every country, Israel has a basic right to defend itself... The World Court in the Hague justly rejected the outrageous demand to deprive us of this right."
He appeared to be referring to the fact that the ICJ did not call for an immediate ceasefire in Hamas-run Gaza.
