South Africa has initiated legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), asserting that Israel is involved in "genocidal acts" in Gaza.

The ICJ has acknowledged the case, which focuses on alleged breaches of Israel's obligations under the Genocide Convention. Israel vehemently denies the accusation, labeling it as "baseless" and condemning it as a "blood libel" spread by South Africa.

The ICJ, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, serves as the principal legal body of the UN, addressing state disputes and offering advisory opinions on international legal matters.

South Africa, in its application to the ICJ, emphasized its obligation to prevent genocide and expressed grave concern about the impact of Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza.

The 84-page document contends that the actions and omissions by Israel are "genocidal in character," intending to destroy a significant part of the Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group.

South Africa's plea urges the ICJ to hold a hearing next week and to issue "provisional measures," including a cessation of all Israeli military activities in Gaza. Israel's foreign affairs ministry spokesman, Lior Haiat, criticized South Africa's claim as a "despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court

He said South Africa was "cooperating with a terrorist organization that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel" and said Hamas was "responsible for the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by using them as human shields and stealing humanitarian aid from them".

"Israel is committed to international law and acts by it, and directs its military efforts only against the Hamas terrorist organization and the other terrorist organizations cooperating with Hamas," Mr Haiat said.

"Israel has made it clear that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not the enemy, and is making every effort to limit harm to the non-involved and to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip."

South Africa has been highly critical of Israel's military operation in Gaza.

In early November, it recalled all of its diplomats from Israel. Israel, in turn, recalled its ambassador from Pretoria.

In addition, the South African National Assembly voted to suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel, but the government has not yet formally responded to the vote.

South Africa previously filed a referral to a different court, the International Criminal Court (ICC), relating to alleged war crimes by Israel in Gaza. The ICC ​investigates and tries individuals charged with genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Israel does not recognize the ICC.

The current war between Israel and Hamas was triggered by the 7 October Hamas attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people - most of them civilians - and saw about 240 others taken hostage.

More than 21,500 people have been killed in Gaza - mostly children and women - during Israeli retaliatory attacks on Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.