SA govt to file memorial with ICJ in genocide matter against Israel

CAPE TOWN - Government is expected to file its memorial to the International Court of Justice on Monday, that should contain all its facts and evidence to prove that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

The document will form the main basis of the case it launched last December and has since been successful in three attempts to the world’s highest court to order interim measures to temper Israel's attacks on the occupied territory. 

A host of countries have also filed intervening applications to the court this year in support of South Africa's case.

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South Africa stunned the world in December when it launched its genocide case against Israel. 

This after an attack by Palestinian military group, Hamas, on Israeli civilians that left over 1,000 people dead, and over 200 hostages being taken. 

A year later, over 42,000 Palestinians - mostly women and children - have been killed and more than 100 hostages are still believed to be in captivity in Gaza.

The war has since spread to Lebanon and Iran, where several high-profile leaders of the Hamas and Hezbollah military groups have been killed.

South Africa's memorial to the ICJ follows that of interim measures being issued by the court in January, March and May, ordering Israel to lessen its aggression on Gaza and to allow for more humanitarian aid to flow.

Bolivia and the Maldives are the latest countries to make intervening declarations to the court in October, following that of Chile, Turkiye, Spain, Mexico, Columbia, Nicaragua, and Palestine itself. 

Once South Africa has filed its memorial, Israel will have until July to file its counter-memorial.