Archive photo of the International Court of Justice. (Photo: Remko de Waal/ANP/AFP)
Israel has submitted its response to South Africa’s written pleadings in the ongoing genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
Vincent Magwenya, pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson says South Africa will now consider Israel’s response and decide whether it will approach the court to make further written submissions in response, or will proceed directly to the oral phase of the proceedings.
Israel submitted its response to South Africa’s written pleadings in the case regarding the application of the convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.
The International Court of Justice initially ordered Israel to respond by 28 July 2025 to South Africa’s submissions submitted on 28 October 2024. However, Israel twice asked for a delay and the court agreed each time.
Meanwhile, Magwenya points out that the bombing in Gaza continues despite the alleged ceasefire of 10 October 2025 and three binding orders by the International Court of Justice, the first of which was obtained by South Africa more than two years ago.
The Presidency notes Israel’s response in International Court of Justice case on application of Genocide Convention.
The South African government has noted the filing of Israel’s response to South Africa’s written pleadings in the case of Application of the Convention on the… pic.twitter.com/uL3xdLLADv
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) March 16, 2026
Magwenya says the orders compel Israel to prevent the commission of acts of genocide and “without fail to ensure the unhindered provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance”.
Ramaphosa said through Magwenya on Sunday that the situation in Gaza is currently being aggravated by the escalating crisis in the Gulf and the ongoing attacks by Israel on Lebanon. “These developments risk exacerbating the conflict with serious implications for regional and international peace and security.”
However, Ramaphosa maintains that the crisis in Gaza offers an opportunity “to unite humanity and remind us all of our shared values”.
“We must all respond to the call to defend the principles of international law and reaffirm the essential role played by the UN and international dispute resolution mechanisms such as the International Court of Justice,” Magwenya said on Sunday.
Magwenya further said that South Africa remains committed to playing a role together with other countries to fulfill the provisions of the Genocide Convention and the UN Charter to free humanity from the “heinous scourge” of genocide as described by the UN Genocide Convention of 1948 and to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” as universally undertaken in the preface of the UN Charter.
South Africa submitted its case against Israel to the court in December 2023 and argues that the war in Gaza violates the UN Genocide Convention of 1948 – an accusation that Israel strongly denies.