South Africa files evidence for 'genocide' in Gaza

South Africa has filed evidence with the International Court of Justice for what it says is a genocide being committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip, the office of President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday.

The document "contains evidence which shows how the government of Israel has violated the genocide convention by promoting the destruction of Palestinians living in Gaza", the presidency said in a statement. 

An official for the Hague-based court on Monday confirmed it had received the document, but declined to give further detail.

"The evidence will show that undergirding Israel's genocidal acts is the special intent to commit genocide, a failure by Israel to prevent incitement to genocide, to prevent genocide itself and its failure to punish those inciting and committing acts of genocide," said the presidency. 

Israel has denied the allegations it is carrying out a genocide.