ICJ case against Israel could finally empower the genocide convention

South Africa’s claim of genocide in Gaza is only the second time a state has tried to litigate the perceived atrocities of another

Palestinians look at the residential building destroyed in an Israeli strike in Nusseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip. Picture: AP 

Just a month after its 75th anniversary, the genocide convention could be entering a new age of greater relevance as the international court of justice convenes in The Hague to consider the Israel-Gaza war.

South Africa has brought a case to the ICJ accusing Israel of committing genocide in its military response to the 7 October Hamas attack that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians. The South African case includes references to the Israeli use of blanket bombing and the cutting of food, water and medicine supplies to Gaza.