In a significant development at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Belgium has joined a case initiated by South Africa that accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. This legal action draws attention to the global community’s growing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reflecting a united international stance on the need for accountability and justice in the region.
Belgium has officially entered the proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, becoming the latest nation to support South Africa’s allegations that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The ICJ confirmed this declaration of intervention in a statement released on Tuesday, highlighting the increasing involvement of several countries in this urgent matter.
Belgium’s intervention follows other nations, including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, and Turkiye, which have already allied themselves with South Africa’s case. Launched in December 2023, the legal action contends that Israel’s military operations in Gaza contravene the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Despite Israel’s rejection of these allegations and its criticisms of the proceedings, the international response has been substantial.
Although a final ruling from the ICJ may take years to reach, the court issued provisional measures in January 2024, ordering Israel to take necessary steps to prevent any acts of genocide in Gaza. Additionally, the ICJ mandated that Israel must maintain unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to the region. These orders are legally binding, though the court lacks direct enforcement mechanisms.
The ICJ has also deemed Israel’s continued presence in occupied Palestinian territories as unlawful, characterizing its policies as tantamount to annexation. Nevertheless, Israel has persisted with its military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, despite international outcry and the court’s rulings. Israeli authorities have advanced plans aimed at seizing significant areas of Palestinian land, further escalating tensions.
Meanwhile, the United States and some European allies have continued their military and financial support for Israel, leading to criticisms from various quarters. The U.S. has dismissed the validity of South Africa’s allegations and has expressed discontent with the ongoing legal actions. Additionally, Washington has targeted members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) with sanctions, as the court has issued arrest warrants against high-ranking Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In September, Belgium recognized the State of Palestine, joining a growing international recognition, with nearly 80 percent of UN member states now acknowledging Palestine. Since the initiation of a ceasefire on October 10, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that Israeli forces have killed at least 406 Palestinians and injured over 1,100 in Gaza. Overall, since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, the ministry indicated that at least 70,942 Palestinians have lost their lives, with 171,195 others injured.
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