The Maldives has officially intervened in the ongoing genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), citing alleged atrocities committed in the Gaza Strip. President Mohamed Muizzu announced this development on X, stating that the intervention aligns with South Africa’s application under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, as detailed in Article 63 of the ICJ Statute.
“Israel must be held accountable for its unlawful acts in Gaza. The rule of law must be upheld, and Israel must cease its genocidal actions against the Palestinian people,” President Muizzu emphasized. He reiterated the Maldives’ commitment to “humanity, peace, and justice” and pledged ongoing support for the Palestinian cause.
In his remarks, Muizzu called for the recognition of Palestine as a state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The case, initially filed by South Africa in late 2023, accuses Israel of breaching its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention amid continued military operations in Gaza since October of the previous year. The ICJ issued an order in May, demanding that Israel cease its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This marked the third occasion that the 15-judge panel sought to address the escalating death toll and humanitarian crisis in the region, which has seen casualties exceed 41,600.
Several nations, including Türkiye, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, have also joined the case against Israel. Public hearings at the ICJ commenced in January, drawing international attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.