Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, with Hamas movement's troops infiltrating border areas. On October 8, the Israeli government announced that it had invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country was officially in a state of war.

Israel Recalls Ambassador From South Africa for Consultations, Foreign Ministry Says

08:38, 21 November 2023

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On November 17, South Africa joined several other countries in referring the situation in the Middle East to the International Criminal Court (ICC). On November 20, South African Minister in the Presidency noted that the country expects the ICC to issue a warrant of arrest against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in December.

Sputnik

Israel has decided to recall its ambassador from South Africa for consultations over latest statements made in the African country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat said on Monday.

South Africa has called on the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel’s actions since the escalation of the Middle East conflict.

"Due to the latest statements from South Africa, the Israeli ambassador to South Africa has been recalled to Jerusalem for consultations," the spokesman wrote on X.

Israel-Palestine Escalation

South Africa Expects ICC to Issue Arrest Warrant Against Israeli PM by December

20 November 2023, 13:13

On October 7, Palestinian Hamas movement launched a surprise massive rocket attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, breaching the border and kidnapping residents of neighboring Israeli communities. Israel retaliated by launching a widescale military operation and imposing a complete blockade on Gaza, cutting off water, food, and fuel supplies.

On November 6, South Africa announced the withdrawal of all its diplomats amid the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. Following this, the African country joined Comoros, Djibouti, Bolivia and Bangladesh in referring the situation in Palestine and Israel to the ICC.