Just before the start of the hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on South Africa's lawsuit against Israel, the families of the abductees held a march through the streets of the city this morning (Thursday), carrying Israeli flags and signs condemning Hamas and calling for the return of the abductees from the Gaza Strip.
As mentioned, the Court of Justice will today hear South Africa's lawsuit against Israel, which claims that Israel is committing "genocide" against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. As part of the initial procedure, two hearings are expected to take place today and tomorrow at the same times, the hearings will be broadcast live according to the court's decision and will last approximately three hours each.
Today's hearing deals exclusively with South Africa's claim against Israel, and will consist entirely of the plaintiff's claims on behalf of South Africa. Among them is the presentation of backups and evidence that aligns with South Africa's opinion with its claim that Israel is committing genocide, which according to the prosecution's documents are mainly based on expressions of Israeli officials and claims of distinctly pro-Palestinian organizations and entities. Among other things, the petition was signed by officials of Extreme leftists in Israel such as Knesset member Ofer Kasif who supports the South African claims.
The hearing tomorrow (Friday) is scheduled to take place at the same time and to be broadcast live. This hearing will deal entirely with the Israeli defense that will be presented by the legal team on behalf of Israel.
According to several reports, the Israeli defense is expected to give great weight to the brutality of the crimes committed on the seventh of October and the massive killing caused by the terrorist organizations from the Gaza Strip in just one day, to the descriptions of the atrocities and crimes against humanity that were committed during that day and to claim that the response to this requires the destruction of Hamas and therefore it is a proportional response. Therefore, the issue of the abductees and captives who continue to be held inside the Gaza Strip will also be brought up in the discussion as a significant element urging Israel to continue a strong military operation in the Gaza Strip.
