CAIRO: Egypt on Sunday announced its intention to formally support South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel, alleging genocide in its war against Hamas in Gaza.
South Africa initially brought its case to the ICJ in December, urging the UN court to compel Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza.
In its latest appeal to the ICJ on Friday, South Africa reiterated its allegations against Israel, accusing the country of ongoing violations of the Genocide Convention and disregard for international law.
Egypt’s decision to back South Africa’s case comes amid escalating violence in Gaza and Israel’s continued military actions against Palestinian civilians. Egypt cited Israel’s targeting of civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and displacement of Palestinians as reasons for its support.
South Africa specifically called for Israel to immediately withdraw and cease its military offensive in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. The area has seen intense fighting, prompting concerns of a humanitarian crisis.
Israel’s recent incursion into eastern Rafah and the closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt have further exacerbated tensions in the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of the risk of an “epic humanitarian disaster” if Israel were to launch a full-scale ground operation in Rafah.
Egypt, which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, has historically played a key role in mediating between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators. However, Egypt has refused to coordinate aid access through the Rafah crossing, which it controls, since Israeli forces seized the crossing.
Despite reports of coordination between Israel and Egypt at the Rafah crossing, a high-level source denied such claims, according to state-linked television channel Al-Qahera News.
Egypt has also issued warnings against further escalation in the region following unsuccessful truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Cairo. In January, the ICJ urged Israel to prevent acts of genocide in response to South Africa’s initial request for international action.
While the court rejected a second emergency request from South Africa regarding Israel’s threat to attack Rafah, South Africa submitted a new request to the ICJ in early March, seeking urgent intervention to address the situation.
Pretoria brought its case to the ICJ in December, calling on the UN court to order Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza.
