South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday called for the deployment of a UN Rapid Deployment Force in Palestine to monitor the cessation of hostilities between Israel and armed Palestinian groups.
"Sixth, the deployment of a UN Rapid Deployment Force in Palestine, with a mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities and protect civilians," Ramaphosa told the BRICS extraordinary summit on the situation in the Middle East.
He underlined that Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip violate international laws, including the United Nations charter and the Geneva convention.
"The actions by Israel are in clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the Geneva Convention read together with its protocols," Ramaphosa stated.
The South African president continued by saying that the illegal use of force by Israel against Palestinians and their collective punishment is a "war crime," adding that the "root cause" of the conflict is "the illegal occupation" of the Palestinian territory.
"The deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food and water to the residents of Gaza is tantamount to genocide," Ramaphosa said.
However, according to the South African president, Israel is not the only one violating international law, saying that the Palestinian movement Hamas did it when it attacked Israel on October 7 and that the movement must be held accountable.
"In its attacks on civilians and by taking hostages, Hamas has also violated international law and must be held accountable for these actions," Ramaphosa said.
The South African leader also called on the international community to urgently agree on actions "to end the suffering in Gaza and establish a path towards a just and peaceful resolution of this conflict."
"Third, all countries to exercise restraint and to desist from fueling this conflict, including by ceasing the supply of weapons to the parties," Ramaphosa said.
The South African president also said that the International Criminal Court needs to "urgently initiate prosecutions against those responsible for the perpetration of war crimes."
"Let us work together to realize a just, peaceful and secure future for the people of both Palestine and Israel," Ramaphosa added.
BRICS plays an important role when it comes to the efforts to find peaceful and lasting solution to the Middle East conflict, Ramaphosa added.