South Africa respected the October 28 2024 deadline set by the UN court –the International Court of Justice ICJ, by filing new evidence reinforcing its accusations that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. This move follows ongoing hostilities that have resulted in significant civilian casualtie.
On Monday, Oct. 28, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the submission of over 750 pages of legal documentation that asserts Israel’s actions constitute violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention. The evidence, which includes details of physical killings and the obstruction of humanitarian aid, alleges a systematic effort by Israel to destroy the Palestinian population in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Presidenent Ramaphosa asserted that the documentation reveals Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war, aiming to depopulate Gaza through mass deaths and forced displacements. The South African leadership underscored that Israel has disregarded prior provisional measures set forth by the International Court of Justice-ICJ, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation resulting from incessant bombardments.
As the conflict escalates, with nearly 43,000 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023, South Africa’s filing arrives at a critical juncture, coinciding with intensifying hostilities against civilians Ramaphosa called for urgent international action to prevent further devastation in both Gaza and Lebanon, emphasizing a global responsibility to uphold human rights.
