South Africa Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza at ICJ

Israel denies allegations, insisting it is acting in self-defence; over 23,000 Palestinians killed since October 7.

South Africa has brought a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide in its military response to the 7 October Hamas attack that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians.
The case alleges that Israel is committing genocide in its war in Gaza, with South Africa asking the ICJ to act urgently to protect against further harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the genocide convention.
Israel has denied the allegations, calling them 'baseless' and a 'blood libel', and insists it is acting in self-defence to protect Israelis by destroying Hamas.
The case could take years to resolve, but the ICJ could also issue 'provisional measures' requiring actions, like a ceasefire, to mitigate the risk of genocide.
Since the 7 October attacks, Israel has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza’s health ministry, about 70% of whom are believed to be women or children.