An Irish lawyer has told the International Court of Justice that the situation in Gaza "could not be more urgent", with civilians "under relentless attack, bombardment".
Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC (King's Counsel) spoke during South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague.
She asked the top UN court to order Israel to immediately suspend its military operation in Gaza, where it says Israel is committing genocide against Palestinian civilians.
"Nowhere, and nobody is safe," Ms Ní Ghrálaigh said.
"People are facing the highest levels of food insecurity ever recorded.
"Today, Israel's hindrances to the imports of food and essential items have brought Gaza to the brink of famine."
Ms Ní Ghrálaigh is advising South Africa's legal team on its high-profile proceedings against Israel.
"Some might say that the very reputation of international law, its ability and willingness to bind and to protect all people equally hangs in the balance," Ms Ní Ghrálaigh said, as South Africa demanded action.
Gaza is being subjected to the same bombardment as Ukraine, but "on a much more intensive scale".
"The besieged, trapped, terrified population ... has nowhere safe to go," she told the court.
"Entire multi-generational families will be obliterated," Ms Ní Ghrálaigh warned.
"And yet more Palestinian children will become WCNSF: Wounded Child. No Surviving Family. The terrible new acronym born out of Israel's genocidal assault on the Palestinian population in Gaza.
"Each day, over ten Palestinian children will have one or both legs amputated, many without anaesthetic."
Explained: Ireland's position on the genocide case against Israel
She warned of "the urgent risk of irreparable harm" to Palestinian society.
The majority of schools and almost all universities, bookshops and libraries "have been damaged or destroyed and hundreds of teachers and academics have been killed, including deans of universities, and leading Palestinian scholars," she said.
This is "obliterating the very prospects for the future education of Gaza's children and young".
"The situation could not be more urgent," Ms Ní Ghrálaigh said.
"Since these proceedings were initiated on the 29th of December, 2023 ... an estimated over 1,703 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and over 3,252 injured.
"The real problem is that, the way Israel is conducting this offensive means that the conditions for the effective delivery of humanitarian aid no longer exist," she said.
