FILE: The front of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, March 7, 2022. /CFP
South Africa’s case against Israel begins at the ICJ
South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) began on Thursday as Pretoria looks to hold Israel accountable for mass killings in the Gaza Strip.
The case started on Thursday at the Hague-based court, with South Africa’s lawyers given three hours to give their submissions to the bench.
Israel will be given a similar period for their defense on Friday.
In its application filed on December 29, Pretoria accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in contravention of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.
Both South Africa and Israel are signatories to the treaty.
More than 23,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its offensive on October 7, nearly 10,000 of them children, according to reports.
