Israel-Hamas war: US delivers first aid to Gaza via temporary pier

The United States (US) military said on Friday (May 17) that itsaid deliveries began Friday via a temporary pier inGazaaimed at ramping up emergency humanitarian assistance to the war-ravaged region.

"Today at approximately 9 am(Gazatime), trucks carrying humanitarian assistance began moving ashore via a temporary pier inGaza," saidthe US Central Command (CENTCOM).

"This is an ongoing, multinational effort to deliver additional aid to Palestinian civilians inGazavia a maritime corridor that is entirely humanitarian in nature," the statement further said, adding that the effortwould involve aid commodities donated by several countries and humanitarian organisations.

'Gaza war is tragic but...'

The above development came as Israel said on Friday thatSouth Africa's Gaza genocide case against it was totally divorcedfromfacts. On Thursday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ)opened its two-day hearings overSouthAfrica's request to halt Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

SouthAfrica's Ambassador to the NetherlandsVusimuziMadonselasaid at the hearing that the recent Israeli ground military operation in Gaza's Rafah was aseriousviolationof The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and theICJ should take immediate emergency measures to stop Israel's brutal operation in Gaza.

SouthAfricarequestedto add the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Rafah into the additional provisional measures, said Madonsela , andurged the court to orderIsrael to cease its military operations in the Gaza Strip, including Rafahimmediatelytotallyand unconditionally withdraw the Israeli army from the entirety of the Palestinian territory.

On Friday, Israel told the ICJ thatthe ongoing war (between Israel and Hamas) in Gazawas tragicbut denied there was a case of genocide to answer.

"There is a tragic war going onbutthere is no genocide," top Israeli lawyerGilad Noam told the top court in The Hague.

Death toll in Gaza over 35,300

Israel's remarks at the ICJ came as the death toll in Gaza climbed to35,303.

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According to the Palestinian health ministry,the toll includes at least 31 deaths over the past 24 hours, and79,261 people havebeen woundedsince the war began on October 7 last year.

(With inputs from agencies)