Belgium has formally intervened in the landmark genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, marking a significant escalation in international legal pressure. The European nation filed its declaration of intervention under the Genocide Convention, focusing specifically on the interpretation of establishing genocidal intent. This move adds Belgium to a growing coalition of states, including Brazil, Colombia, Turkey, and Spain, that are seeking to participate in the proceedings concerning Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The case, initiated by South Africa in 2023, accuses Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through acts intended to destroy the Palestinian population. In January 2024, the ICJ found it plausible that Israel’s actions constituted breaches of the convention and issued provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocidal acts. Despite this, the court noted ongoing military operations and a rising death toll that now exceeds 70,000 Palestinians, with over 171,000 injured.

The intervention strengthens the international judicial examination of Israel’s conduct, increasing political and legal isolation. With multiple states now formally involved, the case represents one of the most significant collective legal challenges to Israel’s actions in decades, testing the international community’s ability to enforce accountability under the Genocide Convention. The court has requested written observations from both South Africa and Israel regarding Belgium’s intervention as proceedings continue.