THE HAGUE, Netherlands: At the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the world court, South Africa accused Israel of “genocidal intent” on the first day of hearings regarding Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi of the High Court of South Africa stated that Israel’s intent against Palestinians in Gaza is genocidal, as evidenced by the conduct of the military attack.
South Africa, in its case presented to the ICJ, is calling for an immediate halt to Israel’s military campaign in the Palestinian enclave. Advocate Adila Hassim argued at the ICJ that Israel has violated Article Two of the Genocide Convention, committing acts that align with the definition of genocide, showing a systematic pattern of conduct indicative of genocide.
The 1948 Genocide Convention defines genocide as acts committed with the intention to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. South Africa’s team highlighted Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign, which, according to Gaza health authorities, has resulted in the deaths of over 23,000 people in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Israel, however, has dismissed South Africa’s case as baseless. Israel initiated a full-scale war following a cross-border attack on October 7 by Hamas, Gaza’s ruling Palestinian Islamist group, in which Israel claims 1,200 people were killed and 240 were taken hostage back to Gaza.
The ICJ will hear South Africa’s arguments on Thursday and Israel’s rebuttal on Friday. The court is expected to decide on potential emergency measures later this month, but a ruling on the genocide allegations could take years.
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The politically sensitive case has garnered worldwide attention, with supporters from both sides planning marches and rallies in The Hague.A heavy police presence ensured the separation of the pro-Israel march and a pro-Palestinian march.
