The International Court of Justice (ICJ) heard claims from South African lawyers accusing Israel of planning to “destroy” Gaza at the highest state level. South Africa urged the court to order Israel to cease military operations in Gaza. Israel vehemently rejected the accusations, calling them “baseless.” The ICJ will provide an opinion on the genocide allegation, closely watched by the international community.

Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, representing South Africa, argued that Israel’s “genocidal intent” was evident in the military attack on Gaza, nurtured at the highest state level. South Africa emphasized the irreparable loss suffered by Palestinians and called for the court’s intervention to halt the ongoing suffering.

Israel, set to present its defense, previously justified actions in Gaza as responses to Hamas’s attacks. South Africa’s Justice Minister Ronald Lamola stressed that no attack justifies breaches of the Genocide Convention, to which Israel is a signatory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized South Africa, accusing it of hypocrisy and emphasizing Israel’s fight against “murderous terrorists.” The ICJ’s rulings are theoretically binding but not enforceable. The court ordered Russia to suspend military operations in Ukraine in 2022, an order ignored by Russia.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated the country’s opposition to the Gaza conflict led to approaching the ICJ. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the accusations “atrocious and preposterous” and affirmed Israel’s presentation of its case under humanitarian law.

While the ICJ could quickly rule on South Africa’s request to suspend Israel’s military campaign, a final ruling on the genocide allegation may take years. South Africa, historically critical of Israel’s actions, draws parallels between its anti-apartheid struggle and the Palestinian cause.

In Gaza, over 23,350 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since the conflict’s onset, with Hamas claiming casualties. The ICJ’s proceedings reflect heightened international scrutiny and divergent perspectives on the Israel-Palestine situation.