Israel will appear before the International Court of Justice to counter South Africa's legal claim regarding Gaza, Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy said in an online briefing.
"The State of Israel will appear before the International Court of Justice at The Hague to dispel South Africa's absurd blood libel. […] We assure South Africa's leaders, history will judge you, and it will judge you without mercy," Levy said.
The Israeli authorities are on alert as the ICJ comes under increasing pressure to indict Israel for genocide in the Gaza Strip in response to a petition filed by South Africa, the Israeli media reported.
Lawyers are already preparing to deal with the complaint, and a hearing on the issue will be held at the Foreign Ministry on Monday, the report revealed.
The local media outlet added that according to international legal experts, "the proceeding may cement claims of genocide against Israel, and thus lead to its diplomatic isolation and to boycott or sanctions against it or against Israeli businesses."
South Africa filed a case against Israel at the ICJ in The Hague on Friday under the Genocide Convention adopted by the United Nations in 1948. South Africa requested the court to impose interim measures against the Israeli authorities in response to the situation in the Gaza Strip.
South Africa also pointed out that "Israel, especially since October 7, 2023, has failed to prevent genocide and has failed to prosecute the direct and public incitement to genocide."
Israel denies the allegations, despite months of attacks on Gaza that have claimed more than 22,000 lives, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, and a severe blockade of the exclave.