THE Comoros has become the latest country to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The court confirmed today that the Comoros filed a declaration on Wednesday under Article 63 of the ICJ statute, which allows states that are party to the Genocide Convention to provide their interpretation of the treaty. 

South Africa launched the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through its actions in Gaza.

The court has since issued three sets of provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocide and allow humanitarian aid access.

Libya is the only other African nation to file, alongside several Latin American countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, Cuba, Belize, and Brazil, as well as Turkey, Spain, Ireland, the Maldives, and Palestine.

Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes and artillery continue in southern and northern Gaza, despite claims of a ceasefire. 

A Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire in Jabalia refugee camp, al-Shifa Hospital reported today.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and Hamas’s Qassam Brigades travelled to east Khan Younis to search for the remains of Israeli captives hours after fresh strikes hit the city.

Gaza hospitals confirmed yesterday that Israel returned the bodies of 30 Palestinian prisoners, some showing signs of torture, after Hamas handed over two more deceased Israeli captives.

Humanitarian access in Gaza has improved, but obstacles remain, with the UN reporting that only 5 per cent of aid shipments are blocked, down from 80 per cent earlier this year. 

But the health system remains under severe strain, with only a third of facilities operational and more than 1,700 health workers lost since October 2023. 

Overcrowding, malnutrition, and poor sanitation continue to put millions at risk, while emergency care and patient evacuations continue where possible.