South Africa recently submitted an extensive 5,000-page legal document to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging that Israel is committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The case, which was formally brought forward by South Africa in December 2023, accuses Israel of intentionally targeting the Palestinian population with genocidal intent. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa commented on the filing, asserting that it demonstrates Israel’s “special intent to commit genocide,” though details of the document remain undisclosed until the ICJ releases it publicly.
In response, Israel has adamantly refuted the accusations, labeling the case as “blood libel.” This legal conflict comes amid heightened violence in Gaza, with the Israeli military conducting large-scale operations in northern Gaza. Israeli forces have called for the evacuation of civilians in this region, citing military necessity, but significant numbers of residents, estimated by the U.N. to be over 400,000, remain in the area. Worsening humanitarian conditions are evident, as food scarcity has intensified and humanitarian aid deliveries have significantly reduced.
The ICJ has already intervened on multiple occasions, issuing three emergency measures aimed at curbing Israeli military actions in Gaza. These measures include calls for Israel to cease its military actions in the southern city of Rafah and to facilitate aid by opening land crossings into Gaza. According to South African officials, Israel has disregarded these orders, with Ramaphosa criticizing Israel’s actions, saying, “Israel’s continued shredding of international law has imperilled the institutions of global governance that were established to hold all states accountable.”
The case has garnered international attention, with other countries expressing a desire to join South Africa’s legal complaint. Palestine, Spain, Chile, and seven other nations have formally petitioned the ICJ to become parties to the case, signaling widespread concern over the situation. The court has set a deadline of July 2025 for Israel to submit its official response to the allegations.
The background to Israel’s military operations in Gaza stems from an attack on October 7, 2023, when militants led by Hamas launched a raid on Israeli soil, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians, and the abduction of around 250 others.