According to South African diplomatic sources, this new memorandum presents additional facts and criminal details, providing further evidence to support allegations of genocide.
On December 29, 2023, South Africa officially lodged a complaint with the ICJ, accusing Israel of breaching the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention of Genocide through its military actions in Gaza. The initial filing included an 84-page document that detailed alleged actions by Israel, including the deaths of thousands of civilians and the creation of conditions seen as "conducive to physical destruction," which South Africa argues constitutes genocide.
In early 2024, the ICJ responded by instructing Israel to implement measures to prevent potential genocide and halt any actions that could incite it. The court also rejected an Israeli request to dismiss South Africa's lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed.
In support of South Africa's claim, several countries, including Turkey, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, have joined the complaint.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli operations in Gaza have resulted in at least 42,924 deaths and over 100,833 injuries, according to health officials in Gaza. Most casualties are reportedly children and women, and thousands remain missing beneath the rubble.
This submission is expected to intensify the international scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza as the ICJ considers the expanded evidence from South Africa’s memorandum. (ILKHA)