The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced Friday that Brazil has joined the case filed by South Africa against Israel in December 2023, accusing it of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the court said Brazil submitted its declaration to intervene on September 17 under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry welcomed Brazil’s move, describing it as a step that strengthens international legal efforts to hold Israel accountable for what it calls “acts of genocide” against the Palestinian people.