South Africa has submitted documentation labeled “evidence of genocide” committed by Israel in Gaza to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to a statement from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office.
The document, which presents evidence alleging that Israel has violated the Genocide Convention by working towards the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, was submitted on Monday, the presidency reported.
South Africa’s filing includes extensive facts, evidence, and arguments as part of its ongoing genocide case against Israel. The evidence presented reportedly indicates that Israel’s actions are directed at the physical eradication of Palestinians and demonstrate a disregard for several interim measures previously mandated by the UN’s top court.
According to the presidency, Israel is “using starvation as a weapon of war” to advance its objectives of depopulating Gaza through widespread fatalities and the forced displacement of Palestinians. The evidence is compiled in over 750 pages, with additional exhibits and annexes totaling more than 4,000 pages.
New Evidence
The new evidence, which may not be publicly released, arrives as Israel intensifies attacks on civilians in Gaza and appears poised to take similar actions in Lebanon, the statement noted.
Israel is expected to submit its response to this evidence by July 28 next year.
South Africa initially filed its genocide case against Israel at the Hague tribunal in late 2023, accusing Israel, which has been bombing Gaza since October, of breaching its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
Several countries, including Türkiye, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, have joined South Africa’s case, which entered public hearings at the ICJ in January.
