Brussels /PNN /

Belgium has pledged full support for the case filed by South Africa charging Israel with committing the crime of genocide should the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order Israel to stop its aggression on Gaza.

The announcement was made by Caroline Gennez, the Minister of Development Cooperation, on her X account. Gennez reiterated Belgium's unwavering support for the case before the ICJ, emphasizing that if the court calls on Israel to cease its military operation against Gaza, Belgium will extend its complete support.  

The Minister promised to continue the commitment to ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza promptly at all levels. Additionally, Belgium affirmed its ongoing efforts within the European Union and at the international level to push for a permanent ceasefire, full access to humanitarian aid, calling for compliance with international law.

South Africa initiated legal action against Israel earlier this month, accusing the occupying regime of committing the crime of genocide against the people of Gaza, who have endured a devastating war for over three months, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

While the court is expected to issue an urgent ruling this month, it is unlikely to make a swift decision on the genocide charges, as such matters typically take years to resolve.

In November of the previous year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced that the court was already conducting an ongoing investigation into war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation since June 13, 2014, within the State of Palestine.