Hamas has acted in violation of international legal norms  – South Africa

President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has demanded that Hamas be held accountable for the kidnapping of Israeli people and condemned the terrorist organisation. The administration of Ramaphosa has also been vocal in denouncing Israel.

Speaking on Tuesday at a BRICS+ summit, Ramaphosa claimed that the acts of Hamas on October 7, which included the murder of around 1,200 persons and the abduction of approximately 240 hostages, were illegal under international law.

“Citizens must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law,” Ramaphosa declared, adding, “We condemn all acts of violence… including those directed at Israeli civilians.”

The president of South Africa, who presided over the virtual summit, stated that representatives from potential member states and BRICS leaders concurred that “all civilians who are being held must be released immediately.”

Politicians in Pretoria have compared the Palestinian cause to their own struggle against apartheid in the 20th century, and South Africa has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause.

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As a result, Ramaphosa has consistently denounced Israel’s reaction to the October 7 attack by Hamas, charging that Israel is conducting a “genocide” campaign on Gaza. After Ramaphosa claimed that his government had asked the court to look into Israel for alleged war crimes, Pretoria called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by mid-December, according to South African Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who made this announcement to reporters on Monday.

In response, Israel withdrew its ambassador from South Africa.

During the meeting on Tuesday, Ramaphosa declared that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories was the primary cause of the crisis and once more accused Israel of war crimes.