South Africa submits supposed evidence of Israeli genocide in Gaza to ICJ

The South African government on Monday submitted a 750-page document, along with 4,000 pages of “exhibits and annexes,” to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), claiming the material provides evidence that the State of Israel has committed genocide in Gaza amid the ongoing war with the Iranian terrorist proxy group Hamas.

South Africa's Department of International Relations & Cooperation accused Israel of violating the genocide convention by “promoting the destruction of Palestinians living in Gaza.” Furthermore, South Africa claims that Israel seeks to withhold humanitarian aid from Palestinian civilians in Gaza “causing conditions of life which are aimed at their physical destruction.”

“The international community cannot stand idly by while innocent civilians – including women, children, hospital workers, humanitarian aid workers, and journalists are killed for simply being. That is a world we cannot accept,” the South African department said in an official statement.

The war between Israel and Hamas began last year on Oct. 7, when the 6,000 Gazan terrorists led a surprise invasion and terror attack, massacring 1,200 Israelis living in southern border communities. The overwhelming majority of the Israeli victims were civilians, including women, children and the elderly. In addition, Hamas kidnapped 251 Israelis and foreign nationals. At least 97 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza but it is unclear how many of them are still alive.

In accordance with ICJ procedures, the documents have not been made public. Israel has until July 2025 to respond in writing to the allegations filed by the South African government.

Since January, South Africa, which maintains an alliance with Iran, has accused Israel of committing genocide. Israel has previously dismissed these allegations, describing them as unfounded. Israel and its supporters have also highlighted that Hamas fighters are embedded in civilian areas and use Gazan civilians as human shields, actions classified as violations of international law.

“Israel’s genocide has continued apace since the last court hearing and has just reached a new and horrific stage,” South African Ambassador to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela claimed this past May.

At the time, the South African legal team member Tembeka Ngcukaitobi claimed that “From the onset, Israel’s intent was always to destroy Palestinian life and to wipe them off the face of the earth. Rafah is the final stand.”

The United States, along with other Western democracies, has rejected the South African allegations of genocide.

In January, Germany indicated its willingness to defend Israel at the ICJ.

"The Federal Government firmly and expressly rejects the accusation of genocide that has now been made against Israel at the International Court of Justice. This accusation has no basis whatsoever,” the German government stated.

Furthermore, the German government stressed that Hamas committed war crimes in Israel last October when it led the massacre of Israeli civilians and sought Israel’s destruction.

"On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists brutally attacked, tortured, killed and kidnapped innocent people in Israel,” the German government stated. “Hamas' goal is to wipe out Israel. Since then, Israel has been defending itself against the inhumane attack by Hamas," it added.