South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that the ongoing International Court of Justice (ICJ) genocide case against Israel will continue despite the recent US-brokered Gaza ceasefire. Speaking to parliament in Cape Town on Tuesday, Ramaphosa emphasized that the peace deal, while welcome, does not affect the legal proceedings.
Ramaphosa: Justice Must Proceed Regardless of Ceasefire
“The peace deal that has been struck, which we welcome, will have no bearing on the case before the International Court of Justice,” Ramaphosa stated. He added that Israel must formally respond to South Africa’s pleadings by January 12, 2026, marking the next procedural stage in the case filed in December 2023.
South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocidal acts in Gaza, and Ramaphosa stressed that true progress and healing in the region require the matter to be legally addressed. “We cannot go forward without the healing that needs to take place, which will also result from the case that has been launched being properly heard,” he said.
Case Timeline and ICJ Measures
South Africa submitted a detailed 500-page legal submission in October 2024. Israel’s counterarguments are expected in January 2026, with oral hearings anticipated in 2027. A final ICJ judgment is projected for late 2027 or early 2028.
To date, the ICJ has issued three provisional measures ordering Israel to:
- Prevent further genocidal acts in Gaza
- Allow unhindered humanitarian aid access
- Ensure protection of civilians
However, compliance has been limited, and more than 67,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza since October 2023, according to Palestinian health authorities.
International Support for South Africa’s Legal Action
Several countries and international organizations have voiced support for South Africa’s ICJ case. Nations such as Spain, Ireland, Turkiye, and Colombia have either joined the proceedings or expressed intentions to support it. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro warned that failure to act risks making governments “complicit in the atrocities.”
In addition, South Africa co-chairs The Hague Group, a coalition formed in January 2025 to hold Israel accountable through legal, diplomatic, and economic measures beyond ICJ proceedings.
Global Human Rights Community Responds
UN officials and human rights organizations have highlighted the necessity of justice in tandem with ceasefire agreements:
- Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, tweeted: “Peace without justice, respect for human rights and dignity, without reparations and guarantees of non-repetition, is not sustainable.”
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emphasized that the ceasefire should not allow impunity for Israel, warning that “the main actors of the genocide will have to answer to justice.”
- NGOs including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused Israel of genocidal acts, while a UN commission of inquiry in September 2025 concluded that Israel committed genocide.
Israel continues to strongly reject the allegations.
Why the ICJ Case Matters
The case represents a significant test of international law and accountability mechanisms. Experts argue that pursuing justice at the ICJ could:
- Set a legal precedent for handling allegations of genocide
- Encourage compliance with international humanitarian law
- Support long-term reconciliation and peace in Gaza
Ramaphosa’s firm stance indicates that South Africa views legal action as essential to ensuring justice and accountability in the wake of one of the most devastating conflicts in the region.
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