South Africa is reportedly seeking to postpone the deadline for submitting evidence at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, citing a lack of conclusive evidence pointing to genocide in Gaza. According to a report by KAN news on Tuesday, South Africa is required to present its evidence by October 28 but is now attempting to secure a few additional months to gather more information.

In a complaint filed in late December, South Africa accused Israel of violating the United Nations 1948 convention on the prevention of genocide during its operations in the Gaza Strip as part of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The country claimed that Israel had committed acts of genocide and called for the ICJ's intervention.

In May, the ICJ issued an interim order, instructing Israel to cease any military operations in Rafah that could result in the destruction of the Palestinian people "in whole or in part." However, the court did not order the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to withdraw from Gaza or terminate its military operations.

Israel is said to be exploring various avenues to apply pressure on South Africa to halt the proceedings. According to a classified memo from the Foreign Ministry obtained by Walla, Israel is seeking support from the US Congress in this regard.

The South African government's request for a deadline extension suggests a potential challenge in gathering concrete evidence to substantiate its claims of genocide committed by Israel during the Gaza conflict. While the reason for the lack of evidence was not specified, it indicates the complexity of the case and the need for additional time for thorough investigation and gathering of irrefutable proof.

The ICJ, also known as the World Court, will now consider South Africa's request for an extension to the evidence submission deadline. The court's decision will have significant implications for the progress and outcome of the case.

As the legal battle continues, the international community will closely monitor the developments surrounding this high-profile case, which has further fueled tensions between South Africa and Israel. The outcome of this ICJ proceeding could potentially shape future discussions on accountability and justice in conflicts involving allegations of genocide.