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South Africa Refers Alleged Israeli War Crimes in Gaza to ICC
In a significant development, President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally submitted a referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged war crimes committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip. The announcement was made during his two-day State visit to the Middle East from Doha, Qatar, as reported by Eyewitness News.
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The president cited alarming figures, stating that over 11,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza since the recent outbreak of conflict initiated by Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel. These figures, provided by the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry, highlight a stark contrast with the death toll in Israel, which stands at approximately 1,200.
During his address, Ramaphosa strongly condemned the actions of the Israeli military, characterising the situation in Gaza as akin to a concentration camp. He expressed deep concern about the loss of innocent lives and the apparent disregard for established rules of law. Of particular distress to the president were the casualties among children, noting that nearly half of the reported 11,000 deaths in Gaza were children.
Ramaphosa issued a passionate call for solidarity with the Palestinian people, urging other nations to join in demanding a ceasefire by the Israeli government. He emphasised the importance of global intervention, advocating for the ICC to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged war crimes. The president asserted that legal measures must be taken on an international scale to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the region.
In light of these developments, President Ramaphosa’s plea signals a heightened international concern for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and a call for accountability for the reported atrocities in Gaza.
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Photo: Facebook / @Cyril Ramaphosa
