Gaza Herald- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced Friday that the United States will formally intervene to defend its ally Israel against accusations of violating the Genocide Convention during its war on the Gaza Strip.
Washington submitted what is legally known as a “declaration of intervention” in the case filed by South Africa against Israel, stating in its submission “in the strongest possible terms” that the genocide allegations against Israel are “without merit.”
The United States argued that South Africa’s lawsuit represents the latest in what it described as a long series of “baseless genocide accusations” targeting Israel over the decades.
In its filing, Washington said the allegations aim to “delegitimize the State of Israel and the Jewish people and justify or encourage terrorism against them.”
Background of the Case
The case dates back to December 2023, when South Africa filed a complaint at the ICJ, saying that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza violates the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
On October 28, 2024, South Africa submitted its main legal brief on the merits of the case, a 750-page document supported by nearly 4,000 pages of evidence and supporting materials.
More than a dozen countries have requested to join the proceedings, meaning they will present their legal views before the court in a process that could take years.
Several states have also indicated they will support South Africa’s position, setting the stage for a major legal confrontation at the Peace Palace in The Hague, where the court is based.
Earlier in the proceedings, ICJ judges issued provisional measures ordering Israel to take all possible steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the territory. In a separate ruling, the court also stressed that Israel must ensure the provision of “basic services and humanitarian assistance” necessary for the survival of Palestinians.
Although the court’s decisions are legally binding, the ICJ does not have a direct enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance.
War in Gaza
Israel launched its genocidal campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023. According to official figures from Gaza authorities, the war has resulted in more than 72,000 Palestinians killed and over 171,000 injured, while approximately 90% of civilian infrastructure has been destroyed.
A ceasefire agreement was reached on October 10, 2025, but Israel has continued to violate it daily, resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of Palestinians.
