South Africa has presented evidence to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza, aiming to depopulate the blockaded enclave through mass killings and forced displacements.
"The evidence demonstrates unequivocally that Israel’s genocidal acts are of special intent to commit genocide in the Gaza Strip. Its failure to prevent genocide and incitement to genocide and its failure to punish those inciting and committing acts of genocide," South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told reporters on Tuesday.
A detailed memorial submitted to the ICJ on October 28 highlights how Israel's actions, including physical killings and the denial of access to humanitarian assistance and food, are creating conditions aimed at the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, in defiance of the interim measures previously ordered by the ICJ.
In addition, Lamola condemned the spread of disinformation surrounding South Africa's genocide case, asserting that these attempts are aimed at deflecting attention from the Jewish state's ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
"Our principled approach is firmly rooted in our own experience of colonialism and apartheid, the international law and UN charters whose core purpose is to serve succeeding generations from the scourge of war," he said, reiterating his country's unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an end to Israel's occupation.
South Africa's genocide case against Israel, which was filed in late 2023 and began public hearings in January, has gained support from several nations, including Palestine, Turkey, Nicaragua, Spain, Bolivia, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia.
In May, the ICJ ordered Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah, marking the third time the court has issued preliminary measures to curb the death toll and alleviate humanitarian suffering in the besieged territory. The current casualty count in Gaza has surpassed 44,000, according to local health authorities.