On Monday, the president of South Africa called for global leaders to pressure Israel into stopping its attacks in Gaza and Lebanon. In a speech delivered in Johannesburg to mark his first 100 days in office, Cyril Ramaphosa urged for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the provision of humanitarian aid to those in need.
The African National Congress (ANC), which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, did not secure a majority in the May elections, leading to the formation of a coalition government.
Ramaphosa announced that his government plans to submit a comprehensive case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in support of the Palestinian people, highlighting the genocide occurring, especially in Gaza. He emphasized the ongoing support of his administration for Palestine.
He also expressed concern about the airstrikes by Israel affecting neighboring Lebanon.
In late 2023, South Africa lodged its case with the tribunal in The Hague, accusing Israel of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention during its continued bombardment of Gaza since last October. Several countries, including Türkiye, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, have joined South Africa in this case, which began public hearings in January.
In May, the ICJ ordered Israel to halt its military actions in Rafah, marking the third time the 15-judge panel sought to mitigate casualties and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the blockaded region, where the death toll has exceeded 42,200.
