The UN's International Court of Justice is currently reviewing a case brought forward by South Africa, which alleges that Israel is engaged in genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The submission also urges the court to mandate a cessation of Israel's military operations in the region.

While the ICJ is set to provide an opinion on the genocide claim, it's important to note that this case is not a criminal trial, though it is closely monitored. Israel has vehemently dismissed the accusation as groundless.

Tensions flared outside the ICJ's Peace Palace, where Dutch police struggled to maintain order between groups of Palestinian and Israeli supporters. A gathering of hundreds waving Palestinian flags outside the ICJ demanded a ceasefire, while Israeli supporters displayed images of hostages still held in Gaza on a screen.

South Africa is scheduled to present its case on Thursday, with Israel offering its defense on Friday. In its submission, South Africa contends that Israel's actions are designed to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group. It alleges that Israel is responsible for killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing serious physical and mental harm, and imposing conditions of life calculated to result in their physical destruction.

South Africa calls for urgent "provisional measures" from the court, including the cessation of all military activities by Israel in Gaza.

The ICJ, situated in the Hague, Netherlands, is the top court of the UN. Although its rulings are theoretically legally binding, they lack enforceability. In 2022, the court ordered Russia to immediately suspend military operations in Ukraine, an order that went unheeded.

Under international law, genocide involves committing acts with the intention of destroying, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Unlike the International Criminal Court (ICC), the ICJ lacks the authority to prosecute individuals for crimes like genocide. Nevertheless, its opinions carry weight with the UN and other international institutions.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Wednesday that opposition to the ongoing violence in Gaza prompted the country to seek intervention from the ICJ. In response, Israeli President Isaac Herzog labeled the accusations "atrocious and preposterous," pledging to present Israel's case of self-defense under humanitarian law. He emphasized the Israeli army's efforts to avoid unintended consequences and civilian casualties in challenging circumstances on the ground.