The hague: Belgium has formally joined the case initiated by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding allegations of genocide committed by Israel against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the ICJ, the United Nations’ highest judicial body located in The Hague, announced on Tuesday that Belgium submitted a declaration of intervention in the ongoing case. This case has seen participation from several other nations, including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, and Turkey, following South Africa’s initial filing in December 2023.

South Africa contends that Israel’s military actions in Gaza contravene the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In response to these allegations, the ICJ issued provisional measures in January 2024, mandating Israel to take action to prevent genocide in the Gaza region and ensure unhindered access for humanitarian aid.

Despite these international directives and mounting criticism, Israel has persisted with its military operations in Gaza and continues to impose restrictions on the delivery of aid. This is occurring even though a ceasefire was declared on October 10. Gaza health officials report that over 400 individuals have been killed since the ceasefire began. The conflict has resulted in a total of at least 70,942 Palestinian deaths and 171,195 injuries since it erupted on October 7, 2023.