In a significant development, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to issue an interim ruling on South Africa's accusation that the war in Gaza constitutes genocide against Palestinians. This emergency measure could potentially expose Israel to international sanctions. The landmark ruling, which settles disputes between states, is scheduled to be announced on Friday.

South Africa filed the case against Israel in December, asserting that the devastating offensive, responsible for the loss of 25,700 lives, violates the UN's genocide convention signed in 1948. The court's decision, although unenforceable, is binding and cannot be appealed. Legal experts speculate that an interim decision against Israel could serve as a pretext for imposing sanctions.

Legal representatives for South Africa argued that Israel's bombing campaign was tantamount to the "destruction of Palestinian life" and had pushed the region to the brink of famine during their opening arguments in The Hague. Israel, on the other hand, rejected these allegations as "grossly distorted," claiming its right to self-defense following the attack by Hamas on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people. Israel maintained that its military offensive was aimed at Hamas and not the entire Palestinian population.

Despite a seemingly confident demeanor displayed by the Israeli government, preparations for potential scenarios after the ICJ ruling are underway. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting at the Kirya in Tel Aviv on Thursday, attended by key officials such as the attorney-general, justice minister, strategic affairs minister, and national security council director.

In an effort to demonstrate its commitment to protecting civilians and minimizing civilian casualties, Israel declassified documents on Thursday relating to its actions in Gaza. However, South Africa's case has received criticism within Israel, a country that emerged from the shadows of the Holocaust. Many descendants of Holocaust survivors find it difficult to comprehend how their nation could be accused of genocide.

Writing in Yedioth Ahronoth, a prominent Israeli daily, commentator Ben-Dror Yemini claimed that South Africa's ICJ case was financed by Iran, alleging that Tehran provided generous funding to the governing party in South Africa. The veracity of these claims is yet to be confirmed.

This ICJ ruling marks one of three major international legal cases that Israel is currently facing over its treatment of Palestinians. In 2022, a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly requested an advisory opinion from the ICJ on the "legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory." Additionally, the International Criminal Court made the decision in 2021 to investigate war crimes committed by both Israel and Palestinian factions, despite Israel's non-recognition of the court's authority as a non-member state.

The full ruling on South Africa's case is expected to take several years, with the court currently examining the request for emergency measures to protect Palestinians from potential violations of the genocide convention. The ICJ's decision will undoubtedly have profound implications for the ongoing conflict in Gaza and could further shape the international community's perception and response to the situation.