ICJ South Africa v. Israel — Oral Hearings

What this countdown tracks

The clock above counts down to the International Court of Justice oral hearings on the merits of South Africa v. Israel, expected to open at the Peace Palace in The Hague around January 13, 2027. The case — formally Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip — is the first time the ICJ will rule on whether a state has committed genocide under the 1948 Convention since the 2007 Bosnia v. Serbia and 2015 Croatia v. Serbia judgments.

About this case

South Africa filed the application on 29 December 2023 alleging that Israel's military operations in Gaza after October 7, 2023 violated obligations under the Genocide Convention. The court ordered provisional measures on January 26, 2024, May 24, 2024, and again later in 2024, requiring Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide and to ensure humanitarian access. South Africa filed its Memorial (full statement of facts and law) on October 28, 2024, and Israel was due to file its Counter-Memorial in 2025–2026 with possible extensions.

The case has drawn intervening states under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute — Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, the State of Palestine, Spain, Turkey, the Maldives, Chile, Bolivia, Belgium, Cuba, Ireland, and others — making it the most heavily-intervened genocide case in ICJ history. Oral hearings are typically scheduled by the Court's bureau two to three months in advance and run for two weeks, with each side presenting its full argument and rebuttals.

What to expect

The 2027 hearings will cover three central questions: whether Israel's conduct in Gaza meets the legal definition of genocidal acts under Article II of the Convention, whether the requisite "specific intent to destroy in whole or in part" the Palestinian people in Gaza can be inferred from the totality of evidence, and whether intervening states' claims affect the scope of remedies. A judgment typically follows oral hearings by 12–18 months. The case has already redefined the law of provisional measures and the obligation of third states to prevent genocide.

Past milestones

• January 2024: ICJ orders provisional measures finding plausible genocide-convention claims.
• May 2024: Second order for additional provisional measures including Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.
• October 2024: South Africa Memorial filed.
• 2025: Multiple Article 63 interventions admitted by the court.
• 2025–2026: Israel Counter-Memorial filings and possible reply/rejoinder pleadings.

How to follow

Live audio webcast and document filings publish on icj-cij.org/case/192. The ICJ YouTube channel posts oral hearings on a one-day delay. Coverage from the Just Security blog, Opinio Juris, Reuters, AFP, Al Jazeera, the Guardian, and the New York Times. Hashtag #ICJ standard.

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FAQ

When are the ICJ oral hearings expected? Around January 13, 2027, but final scheduling depends on the Court's bureau. Where do they take place? The Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. Why does this case matter? It is the most-watched genocide case in ICJ history and will shape state practice on the Genocide Convention and the obligation of third states to prevent genocide. How long until a final judgment? ICJ judgments on the merits typically come 12–18 months after oral hearings conclude.