Bolivia has officially joined South Africa’s case against Israel for alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The South American nation filed its application on Tuesday, accusing Israel of committing “genocidal acts” in violation of the Genocide Convention during its conflict with Gaza. Bolivia’s decision adds to a growing list of states involved in the case, which includes Colombia, Libya, Spain, Mexico, Palestine, Nicaragua, and Turkey.
In January, the ICJ ruled that Israel must take all necessary steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and allow UN-mandated investigators unhindered access to the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the court’s interim ruling, calling it “outrageous,” and vowed to continue what he described as a “just war.” Amnesty International later criticized Israel for failing to comply with the ICJ’s order, stating that the country had not taken the minimum measures required by the court. South Africa has continued to emphasize the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, arguing for new emergency measures to be put in place.
The ICJ, despite its legally binding rulings, lacks the ability to enforce them. In late May, the court ordered Israel to immediately cease its offensive in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, a ruling that was ignored by Israel. Bolivia’s submission to the ICJ highlighted its severed ties with Israel and its belief that Israel’s actions constitute a genocidal war. Bolivia stated that it has a responsibility to condemn genocide and believes that Israel is disregarding the court’s orders. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 42,000 deaths, with most being civilians according to the enclave’s Ministry of Health.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), described the ongoing suffering in Gaza as “unspeakable.” Families in Gaza face displacement, disease, hunger, and death on a daily basis, as the region remains besieged and devastated. Lazzarini noted that two million people trapped in Gaza continue to endure immense suffering, with no relief in sight. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian group governing Gaza, has caused significant casualties on both sides, with thousands of lives lost and widespread destruction.
The international community continues to be divided on the issue, with countries like Bolivia and South Africa taking a strong stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The ICJ has been involved in multiple hearings and rulings concerning the conflict, but Israel’s refusal to comply with certain orders has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the court’s decisions. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the high number of civilian casualties have sparked outrage and calls for justice from various human rights organizations and countries around the world. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the people of the enclave facing ongoing hardships and violence as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
