Israel Accused of Genocide in ICJ Case Presented by South Africa

Israel rejects allegations, arguing its actions are in self-defense following Hamas's attacks; case could take years to resolve.

South Africa has presented a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing genocide in its war on Gaza, with over 23,000 people killed since October 7, including nearly 10,000 children.
South Africa's case includes five main 'genocidal acts' that Israel is accused of: mass killings of Palestinians, infliction of serious mental and bodily harm, forced displacement and food blockade, destruction of the healthcare system, and preventing Palestinian births.
Israel has rejected the allegations, arguing that its actions are in self-defense following Hamas's October 7 attacks that killed 1,139 and took more than 200 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
The case is likely to take years to resolve, but South Africa is requesting an emergency order against the continuing killings and destruction in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict has had wider implications, with U.S. and British militaries launching strikes on sites used by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen in retaliation for their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, which the Houthis say are aimed at stopping Israel’s war on Hamas.