Johannesburg, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — South Africa’s legal team has submitted hundreds of pages of evidence to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in an effort to prove that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide. The submission, which comes ahead of the ICJ’s deadline on Monday, October 28, aims to demonstrate that Israel’s military operations in Gaza have been driven by an intentional genocidal agenda.
The case, brought forward by South Africa, is based on Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction. South African diplomats and legal experts argue that recent statements by Israeli leaders, such as Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, provide crucial evidence of genocidal intent.
At a conference held last Monday in Be’eri, a restricted military zone near the Gaza border, Ben-Gvir was recorded suggesting the expulsion of Gaza’s inhabitants, saying, “We are giving you the chance, leave from here to other countries.” His comments were made amidst Israel’s continued airstrikes on Gaza, which have intensified since the outbreak of hostilities in 2023.
“Such statements, coupled with the ongoing military actions, provide irrefutable evidence of Israel’s genocidal intent,” South African diplomats asserted. “We must prove, on paper, that Israel’s actions fit the legal definition of genocide, and these remarks are central to that argument.”
The legal filing comes as Israel continues its year-long military campaign in Gaza, which has drawn widespread international condemnation for its disproportionate use of force and the extensive civilian casualties caused. The submission to the ICJ is part of South Africa’s broader diplomatic push to hold Israel accountable for alleged violations of international law, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The case against Israel follows growing concerns among human rights organizations and UN experts, who have raised alarms over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel’s actions in the region. South Africa’s legal team, working in secret locations last week to finalize the case, is confident that it has gathered sufficient evidence to meet the ICJ’s requirements and prove that Israel’s actions in Gaza align with the legal criteria for genocide.
The ICJ is expected to review South Africa’s submission in the coming months, and a ruling on whether Israel’s actions constitute genocide could have significant implications for international law and future accountability in conflict zones.