South Africa accuses Israel of violating ICJ's legally binding provisional measures

South Africa has accused Israel of breaching legally binding orders from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) aimed at safeguarding Palestinians in Gaza, urging the global community to act against alleged genocide. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) revealed that Israel has disregarded three separate provisional measure orders issued by the ICJ.

These measures were not only designed to protect Palestinian rights under the Genocide Convention but also to preserve the legitimacy of the ICJ itself. The South African government submitted evidence to a specialized judicial committee, which has been monitoring the court's provisional measures since 2024. The orders mandate Israel to prevent genocidal acts, cease military operations in Rafah, and facilitate humanitarian aid access in the Gaza Strip.

As of August 2026, the conflict has resulted in at least 73,407 Palestinian deaths and 174,335 injuries since October 2023, with severe trauma and high miscarriage rates among survivors. The submission to the ICJ highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis, emphasizing that Israel's military actions continue to kill an average of one Palestinian child daily.

Al-Haq, a Palestinian rights organization, supports South Africa's efforts and calls for the Court to take immediate action, including issuing additional provisional measures.