What happened at the International Court of Justice regarding allegations against Israel

South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and brought the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The UN’s highest court, based in The Hague, heard arguments from South Africa, which holds that Israel’s actions meet the criteria for genocide.
South Africa requested the court to order Israel to immediately cease military operations in Gaza.
Israel, set to present its defense, denies the allegations, citing self-defense against Hamas attacks.
The ICJ cannot enforce its rulings, but they carry weight with the UN and other international organizations.
The hearings were met with protests and rallies outside the ICJ.
Israel asserts its military campaign is a response to Hamas’s deadly assaults, not targeting civilians.
South Africa’s legal representatives provided evidence of genocidal intent and acts by Israel.
A final ruling on whether Israel committed genocide could take years, but provisional measures might be issued quickly.
South Africa’s case is driven by solidarity with the Palestinian cause and comparisons to its apartheid history.
Global reactions are mixed, with some countries supporting the case against Israel and others defending Israel’s right to self-defense.

Why is this important?

Potential impact on Israel’s international reputation and its right to self-defense under international law.
Could set a precedent for how the Genocide Convention is applied in international conflicts.
May influence the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and future peace efforts.
Reactions to the case reflect global divisions on the Israel-Palestine issue.
If the ICJ issues provisional measures, it could affect ongoing military actions in Gaza.

Contested claims:

Claim of genocide:
South Africa, backed by various UN officials and international human rights advocates, claims Israel is committing genocide.
Israel and its allies, including prominent legal experts and government officials, argue that their military actions do not constitute genocide but are acts of self-defense.
Effectiveness of a potential ICJ ceasefire order:
Some believe it could halt the conflict and alleviate suffering in Gaza.
Others doubt Israel would comply with such an order, citing past instances where countries ignored provisional measures.

Claims made by a single publication:

Claim that Hamas will escape legal scrutiny (The Globe and Mail [English])
Argument that labeling Israel’s actions as genocide undermines the term and the postwar legal order (The Globe and Mail [English])
Speculation on legal strategies and the rhetorical use of Holocaust references (Verfassungsblog [German])
Allegation that South Africa’s case is driven by political motives rather than legal grounds (Israel Hayom [Hebrew])
Assertions that the case at ICJ represents a pinnacle of hypocrisy and political manipulation (Israel Hayom [Hebrew])

Sources: