South Africa Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza at UN Court

At the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday, South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide in its military campaign against Hamas, seeking an urgent suspension of the Israeli offensive. In the first day of hearings, South African advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi stated that the Israeli operation, which has killed over 23,000 people according to the Health Ministry of Gaza’s Hamas-run government, is aimed at annihilating the Gaza population.

Ngcukaitobi argued that the intent to destroy Gaza is apparent from the top levels of the Israeli government, implicating leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a genocidal agenda. Jerusalem has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that South Africa’s arguments are false and serve as a voice for Hamas, a claim Pretoria refutes.

Netanyahu countered the allegations, calling them hypocritical and deceptive, insisting that Israel is defending itself against Hamas’ “murderous terrorists” responsible for heinous crimes, including the Oct. 7 attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians.

South Africa’s case highlighted Israel’s intensive bombing and statements by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing these as evidence of genocidal intent. The case hinges on the 1948 Genocide Convention’s definition of genocide.

Since the Israeli offensive began, a humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Gaza, one of the world’s most densely populated areas, with nearly all of its 2.3 million residents displaced at least once.

Advocate Adila Hassim from South Africa’s high court emphasized the urgent need for court intervention to halt the ongoing Palestinian suffering. The ANC-led South African government, long a supporter of the Palestinian cause, wrapped up its arguments by requesting the ICJ to implement emergency measures to stop the war. The court’s ruling on emergency measures is forthcoming, but a verdict on the genocide allegations could take years.

Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrations took place in The Hague, with both sides expressing their perspectives passionately. The court will hear Israel’s response on Friday, with a decision on emergency measures expected later this month.