Following Pretoria’s opening of a lawsuit for what it described as Israel’s genocidal activities in Gaza, the UN’s top court will hear submissions from South Africa and Israel next week.
South Africa has petitioned the International Court of Justice to ask Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza, which Israel has dismissed with disgust.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings at the Peace Palace in ‘The Hague’, in proceedings instituted by South Africa against Israel on Thursday, January 11, and Friday, January 12.
The South African application, submitted last Friday, said that Israel had violated its commitments under the Genocide Convention, claiming that Israel has engaged in and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Israel denied the charge, with Lior Haiat, spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, tweeting on X: “Israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa and its application to the ICJ”.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had shown unparalleled morality during the Gaza conflict, dismissing South Africa’s charge as well.
South Africa is requesting that the court order that Israel immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza, as well as that both countries take all reasonable measures within their power to prevent genocide.
Following an extraordinary attack on southern Israel by Palestinian terrorists on October 7, Israel launched a relentless military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
According to Israeli authorities, the terrorist’ strike killed around 1,140 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians.
The health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza stated that Israel’s ongoing Gaza offensive has killed over 22,300 individuals, the majority of whom are women and children.
South Africa will submit its case on Thursday of next week, while Israel will respond on Friday.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to rule on the request for emergency measures within weeks, but the case itself could take months or even years.
Established after World War II, the ICJ is the UN’s highest legal body and rules in international disputes.
Although decisions are legally binding, the court has limited authority to enforce them.
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