The formal filing will take place at the ICJ in The Hague later this month, alongside a separate intervention in Gambia's case against Myanmar, also under the Genocide Convention.

"There has been a collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and impact of military actions of Israel in Gaza, leaving 44,000 dead and millions of civilians displaced," said Martin following a cabinet meeting.

He added that Ireland's intervention seeks to broaden the ICJ's interpretation of genocide, highlighting concerns that a narrow understanding of the Convention fosters impunity and undermines civilian protections.

"Ireland's view of the Convention is broader and prioritises the protection of civilian life," said Martin, emphasising Ireland's commitment to advancing its interpretation through the intervention.

In November, Martin stated that Ireland intends to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice before the end of the year. 

"The government's decision to intervene in the South African case was based on detailed and rigorous legal analysis," Martin then told lawmakers in the Irish parliament, the Dail.

"Ireland is a strong supporter of the court's work and is deeply committed to international law and accountability," he added.

The Irish Parliament had passed a non-binding motion agreeing that "genocide is being perpetrated before our eyes by Israel in Gaza."

South Africa in December brought a case before the ICJ, arguing that the war in Gaza breached the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, an accusation Israel has denied.

Several nations, including Bolivia and Chile, have joined South Africa's case against Israel.

South Africa's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Vusi Madonsela, submitted his country's evidence to the ICJ documenting Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people last October.

The evidence is over 750 pages long, with over 4,000 pages of forensic evidence, exhibits, and annexes describing Israel's actions as the most well-documented genocide in history.

Israel's war on Gaza has killed at least 44,805 people, a majority of them women and children.