In the midst of the Israeli Occupation Forces' ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip for the 92nd consecutive day, with casualties exceeding 23,000 Palestinians and injuries surpassing 57,000, South Africa has initiated legal proceedings against the IOF in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

In response, the Israeli Occupation Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly mobilized embassies to counter the "genocide" lawsuit, seeking international pressure against South Africa's legal action.

The ICJ is set to conduct public hearings on Jan. 11 and 12. South Africa accuses the IOF of genocide in Gaza, leading Tel Aviv to appoint Professor Malcolm Shaw, a British expert in international law, to represent them.

The ICJ's rulings are legally binding, but judges lack authority to compel states to enforce judgments. The ICJ, established in 1945, is the UN's principal judicial organ, settling disputes between states and providing legal opinions on international agreements.

Notably, the International Criminal Court's Prosecutor, Karim Khan, had received, in Nov. 2023, a referral from five countries—South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti—regarding the situation in the State of Palestine.

The investigation, initiated on March 3, 2021, covers potential crimes under the Rome Statute committed in Gaza and the West Bank since June 13, 2014. The inquiry encompasses the recent escalation of hostilities since October 7, 2023.

A specialized team was formed to strengthen the investigation, emphasizing information collection, preservation, and analysis. Karim Khan had encouraged cooperation from relevant stakeholders and had expressed readiness to visit the State of Palestine and Israeli Occupation.