Israel to Face Genocide Case in International Court Over Gaza Strikes: Q&A
Destroyed buildings following Israeli bombardments in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.
Source: AFP/Getty Images
Israel’s three-month military campaign against the Hamas group, a response to the Oct. 7 attacks on its own country, has led to growing international pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pull back Israel’s armed forces. South Africa, among the most vocal critics of the devastating war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, has now called on the United Nations’ International Court of Justice to rule that Israel’s actions constitute genocide.
The case marks the first time a court will examine Israel’s recent operation in the territory as well as being a high profile test of a court that has no power to enforce its rulings. The hearing starts on Thursday with two days of arguments over whether judges should immediately impose orders on Israel to cease any military operations while the case is pending.