Israel has officially responded to South Africa’s genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), more than a year after Pretoria submitted its detailed arguments. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Israel filed its response on Thursday, in a significant development in the case that was brought by SA before the ICJ in 2023 after the conflict in Gaza escalated.
SA argues that Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip amount to acts of genocide against Palestinians, with more than 72,000 Palestinians killed, according to health authorities in Gaza, while large parts of the enclave’s infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed. The United Nations has been working to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Genocide Case Details
Pretoria filed its full written arguments, known as a memorial, on October 28 2024. A memorial is a detailed legal document in which a country sets out its case, including evidence and legal arguments. The ICJ had originally ordered Israel to respond by July 28, 2025. However, Israel requested extensions to the deadline on two occasions, which the court granted.
Magwenya said SA will now study Israel’s response and decide whether to request the court’s permission to make further written submissions in reply, or to proceed directly to the oral phase of proceedings. According to his statement, Palestinians in Gaza continue to face ongoing bombardment from Israeli strikes, with continued loss of life, damage to critical infrastructure, and increasingly difficult living conditions.
Humanitarian Crisis
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres this week warned that the situation in Gaza “remains dire”. The government also said the situation in Gaza has been worsened by rising tensions in the Gulf and Israeli attacks on Lebanon. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the crisis highlights the importance of international law and global institutions.
Some key points to note about the crisis include:
- Over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict
- Large parts of the Gaza Strip’s infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed
- The ICJ has issued three binding provisional orders since the case began, directing Israel to prevent acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and basic services to people in Gaza
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community is calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and an end to the killing in Gaza. The International Court of Justice will continue to play a crucial role in addressing the crisis and upholding international law.
