Belgium has formally joined the case launched by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The ICJ, the Hague-based highest court of the United Nations, announced on Tuesday that Belgium had filed a declaration of intervention in the case. This move brings the total number of countries supporting South Africa's allegations to eight, including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, Turkiye, and now Belgium.

The ICJ proceedings began in December 2023, when South Africa brought the case, arguing that Israel's war in Gaza violates the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. According to the convention, genocide is defined as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. The South African government has accused Israel of committing such acts in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the ICJ said that Belgium's declaration of intervention "expresses its intention to participate in the proceedings as a non-party state." The ICJ has not yet released a schedule for the next session of the court, but it is expected to hear arguments from all parties involved in the coming months.

The ICJ's decision to hear the case has significant implications for the international community, as it could set a precedent for future cases involving allegations of genocide. The court's ruling could also have far-reaching consequences for Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip and its relations with other countries.

South Africa's foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, welcomed Belgium's decision to join the case, saying that it "underscores the international community's concern about the situation in Gaza." Pandor added that the ICJ's decision to hear the case "sends a strong message that the international community will not stand idly by while genocide is committed."

The ICJ's proceedings have been closely watched by human rights organizations and governments around the world. The court's decision to hear the case has sparked debate about the definition of genocide and the role of the international community in preventing such atrocities.

The ICJ's ruling is expected to be a significant development in the case, and it could have far-reaching implications for Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip and its relations with other countries. The court's decision will be closely watched by governments, human rights organizations, and the international community as a whole.

In a related development, the ICJ has announced that it will hold a session on January 10, 2026, to hear arguments from all parties involved in the case. The session will be held at the ICJ's headquarters in The Hague, and it is expected to be attended by representatives from South Africa, Israel, and the other countries involved in the case.

The ICJ's proceedings have been closely followed by the international community, and its ruling is expected to have significant implications for the situation in Gaza and beyond.