Overview
- Israel submitted its counter‑memorial on 12 March 2026 after two extensions, contesting the ICJ’s jurisdiction and urging dismissal of South Africa’s allegations.
- Pretoria says it will review the filing before deciding whether to request leave for further written submissions or move directly to oral hearings.
- The United States filed an Article 63 declaration defending Israel, calling the genocide claim false and arguing the legal standard of specific intent has not been met.
- Netherlands and Iceland joined a growing list of intervening states, bringing declared participants to more than twenty as the court will later assess admissibility.
- Provisional measures ordered by the ICJ remain in force while South African and UN officials describe worsening conditions in Gaza, with a final merits ruling still expected to take years.