The Maldives has officially filed a declaration of intervention in the ongoing genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), joining several nations in holding Israel accountable for alleged massacres in Gaza. President Mohamed Muizzu announced the development on Tuesday, stating that the Maldives would stand firmly for “humanity, peace, and justice,” reported the AA News.
Filed under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute, the declaration aligns the Maldives with South Africa’s legal case, accusing Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention through its military actions in the Gaza Strip. The case, initiated by South Africa in late 2023, calls for accountability for Israel’s alleged failure to uphold international commitments to prevent genocide.
“Israel must be held accountable for its unlawful acts in Gaza,” President Muizzu posted on X. He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and urged Israel to cease its genocidal actions against the Palestinian people.
In his statement, Muizzu reiterated the Maldives’ unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, advocating for the recognition of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The ICJ, based in The Hague, issued preliminary orders in May 2024, demanding Israel halt its military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Despite multiple court rulings, casualties in Gaza have continued to rise, with the death toll now surpassing 41,600.
Several countries, including Türkiye, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, have joined the genocide case against Israel, with public hearings beginning in January 2024.
This latest move by the Maldives reinforces its commitment to international justice and further intensifies global scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
