Palestinian officials have applied to join South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The application, published Monday, claims Israel’s ongoing military operations are part of a systematic effort to erase Palestinian society, culture, and social institutions.
The request was submitted on behalf of the “State of Palestine” and signed by Palestinian Authority Foreign Ministry official Ammar Hijazi.
South Africa filed its case late last year, accusing Israel of breaching the genocide convention during its military assault that devastated large parts of Gaza. Israel denies committing genocide, stating its military actions aim to crush Hamas following the deadly attacks on October 7.
The Israeli offensive has expanded into the southern city of Rafah, a former humanitarian aid hub. The invasion has largely cut off food, medicine, and other supplies, leading to widespread hunger among Palestinians.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli bombardments and ground operations have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, though the figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
The ICJ has issued three preliminary orders in the case, urging Israel to prevent further deaths, increase humanitarian aid, and, most recently, halt its offensive in Rafah. The timeline for the court’s ruling on the Palestinian request remains unclear. If granted, Palestinian officials would be allowed to submit written statements and participate in public hearings.
In their submission, the Palestinians argued they are directly impacted by South Africa’s case against Israel. They accuse Israel of obliterating Gaza’s infrastructure and impeding humanitarian aid, creating conditions of starvation and an imminent famine.
This is not the first time the Palestinians have turned to the ICJ. In 2018, the Palestinian Authority filed a case seeking the removal of the U.S. embassy from Jerusalem after then-President Donald Trump recognized the city as Israel’s capital and moved the embassy from Tel Aviv. That case is still pending, highlighting the prolonged nature of ICJ proceedings.
