South Africa says it is reviewing Israel’s response submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the genocide case linked to the conflict in Gaza.
In a statement, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed that Israel filed its response on March 12 to South Africa’s written submissions under the Genocide Convention.
Authorities said the government will assess the response before deciding whether to submit additional written arguments or proceed directly to the oral hearings phase of the case.
South African officials warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains severe despite several binding rulings issued by the ICJ.
The court previously ordered Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, while calling for steps to reduce violence.
Pretoria also cautioned that the ongoing destruction and loss of life in Gaza, combined with rising tensions in the Gulf and Israeli strikes in Lebanon, could further widen the regional conflict.
South Africa filed the case at the ICJ on December 29, 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Since then, the court has issued three provisional orders in 2024, instructing Israel to prevent genocidal acts, ensure its military avoids such actions, halt operations in Rafah that could create conditions for genocide, and regularly report its actions to the court.
Source: Newstimehub
