The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel must halt its offensive in Gaza's Rafah, following a plea from South Africa.

The court issued a ruling in January that Israel must do everything to prevent genocidal acts being committed in Gaza, but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.

However, South Africa argued that Israel's recent ground attack in Rafah, preceded by months of bombardment, changed the situation on the ground and should compel the court to issue fresh emergency orders.

ICJ President Nawaf Salam said the humanitarian situation in Gaza was now "disastrous" and said earlier measures issued were insufficient.