Spain announced on Thursday its decision to join the case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention in its ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares made the announcement at a press conference, citing the prolonged conflict in Gaza as the driving force behind the decision. “We made this decision in light of the continuation of the military operation in Gaza,” Albares stated. He expressed grave concerns over the escalating regional conflict, emphasising Spain’s commitment to international law and peace efforts.

“We also observe with enormous concern the regional extension of the conflict,” Albares added. The minister highlighted Spain’s goal to end the war and support the two-state solution. This decision follows Spain’s recent recognition of the state of Palestine alongside Ireland and Norway, a move that provoked strong reactions from Israel, which accused the countries of “rewarding terrorism” and subsequently recalled its ambassadors.

South Africa’s case, brought to the ICJ in late December, accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. According to health officials in Gaza, the death toll from Israel’s operations, which commenced in October, has exceeded 36,500. The conflict was triggered by an attack from the Palestinian group Hamas on southern Israel.

Israel has defended its actions in Gaza as compliant with international law and has dismissed the genocide accusations as baseless, accusing South Africa of acting as “the legal arm of Hamas.”

Spain now joins a growing list of countries, including Colombia, Egypt, and Turkey, in formally supporting the case against Israel. While the ICJ’s rulings are binding, enforcement remains a significant challenge as the court lacks the means to compel compliance.

The ICJ’s deliberations on the genocide case are expected to take years. In the meantime, the international community remains deeply divided over the conflict, with diplomatic tensions escalating as countries take definitive stances on the issue.

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