On January 11, the International Court of Justice will hold its first session to consider the lawsuit filed by the Republic of South Africa against Israel against the backdrop of accusing the latter of committing genocide in its war on the Gaza Strip.

This came according to what was announced by Clayson Munilla, spokesman for the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa, on Wednesday, in a blog post on the “X” platform.

Monella said that the first session of the trial is scheduled to begin on January 11 in the Dutch city of The Hague, and will continue the next day.

He explained that his country is continuing its preparations in this regard.

South Africa recently submitted a request to open a case before the International Court of Justice against Israel, against the backdrop of its involvement in “acts of genocide” against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement by the same court.

On November 21, 2023, South Africa suspended its relations with Israel, in protest against its devastating attacks in Gaza.

This was preceded by South Africa recalling its ambassador to Israel, to consult on the attacks on the Strip, which is witnessing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

In turn, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry described South Africa's decision to file the lawsuit as a "concrete step" towards accountability, and expressed its support for it.

During this trial, the International Court of Justice may issue a decision to stop the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, leaving “22,313 dead and 57,296 injured, most of them children and women, massive infrastructure destruction and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe,” according to the Gaza Strip authorities and the United Nations.