The legal action comes after nearly three months of the brutal israeli bombardment and atrocities, resulting in the loss of over 21,500 lives and extensive destruction.

In its application submitted to the ICJ on Friday, South Africa characterized israel's actions in Gaza as "genocidal in character," asserting that these actions are aimed at the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group. The application specifically cites acts including the killing of Palestinians, causing them serious bodily and mental harm, and imposing conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction.

The ICJ, often referred to as the World Court, operates as a United Nations civil court that adjudicates disputes between countries. It is important to note that the ICJ is distinct from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which focuses on prosecuting individuals for war crimes.

South Africa contends that Israel's conduct, particularly since the commencement of the war on October 7, violates the UN's Genocide Convention. The application calls for an expedited hearing and requests the court to indicate provisional measures to "protect against further, severe, and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people" under the Convention.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South Africa issued a statement expressing grave concern about the plight of civilians in Gaza, attributing it to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants. DIRCO emphasized that South Africa has consistently called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the resumption of talks to end the violence arising from the ongoing belligerent occupation of Palestine. (ILKHA)