South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has called on world leaders to apply pressure on Israel to halt its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. The remarks were made during an address to supporters in Johannesburg, South Africa.
”We call for the immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The release of hostages and also ensure humanitarian assistance does get through to the people,” Ramaphosa stated, speaking at an event marking his 100th day in office.
The African National Congress (ANC), which has governed South Africa since 1994, did not secure a majority in the national elections held in May, resulting in a coalition government.
Ramaphosa also revealed that his administration would soon present a comprehensive case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in support of Palestinians, condemning what he described as genocide, particularly in Gaza. He expressed continued solidarity with Palestine and voiced concerns over Israeli bombings in Lebanon.
South Africa initially filed its case with the ICJ, based in The Hague, in late 2023. It accuses Israel of violating its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention, following its bombing campaign in Gaza since October last year.
Several countries, including Turkey, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, have joined the case, which entered public hearings in January. In May, the ICJ issued its third preliminary order, instructing Israel to cease its offensive in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. The court’s rulings aimed to mitigate the escalating death toll and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the blockaded region, where casualties have exceeded 42,200.
