South Africa has taken its case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, urging Israel to immediately halt military operations in the Gaza Strip. Vaughan Low, a British lawyer representing Pretoria, delivered this message during hearings tied to South Africa’s challenge against Israel at the ICJ. The proceedings were reported by RIA News.
The ICJ session dates were set for January 11 and 12, with South Africa presenting on the opening day and Israeli counsel addressing the court on the following day. The exchange underscores Pretoria’s demand for an urgent ceasefire and for Israel to pause actions that affect Gaza and its civilian population.
As quoted by Low, South Africa is asking the court to compel Israel to stop its military operations in and around Gaza immediately. He argued that a rapid fulfillment of these requests would enable the international community to coordinate consistent humanitarian aid deliveries and help reduce the adverse impact of the conflict on residents in Gaza.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor announced in November that the government would support Palestine’s ICJ case against Israel. Pandor indicated that, based on the hearing outcomes, the competent authorities should consider recognizing Israel as an apartheid state. This refers to a long-standing critique of policies related to racial segregation and discrimination.
On December 29, Pretoria filed its own lawsuit against Israel at the ICJ, arguing that Israeli authorities violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. The filing marks a formal assertion that acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group have occurred, or are being threatened.
Earlier, Israel had not cooperated with certain proceedings at the International Criminal Court regarding the Gaza situation. The current ICJ action reflects South Africa’s ongoing effort to pursue international legal avenues for accountability and humanitarian protection amid the crisis in Gaza.