Holiday Ayo - Türkiye joins South Africa in suing Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for crimes of genocide in the Gaza Strip. 

This was revealed by a diplomatic source. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Wednesday (7/8), the request was submitted today. 

The Turkish Ambassador to the Netherlands, accompanied by a group of Turkish legislators, submitted a declaration of intervention to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. 

“We have just submitted our application to the International Court of Justice to intervene in the genocide case filed against Israel," wrote Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the X account. 

Fidan said the proposal followed Israel's position which appeared to be above the law. In fact, said Fidan, Israel has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. 

“Driven by impunity for its crimes, Israel is killing and murdering more and more people. There are more and more innocent Palestinians every day," he said. 

“The international community must do its part to stop the genocide, it must put the necessary pressure on Israel and its supporters," continued Fidan. 

South Africa is known to be the first country to drag Israel to the International Court of Justice late last year. 

South Africa reported that Israel had violated the genocide convention through its military operations in Gaza. 

A preliminary hearing has been held in the genocide case against Israel. However, the court is expected to take years to reach a final decision. 

“No country in the world is above international law," Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli told X earlier. 

“The case at the International Court of Justice is critical to ensuring that the crimes committed by Israel do not go unpunished," he said. 

This step from Türkiye adds to the list of countries joining in suing Israel at the International Court of Justice. Previously Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua and Libya had also taken a similar stance.