President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, marking one year since the outbreak of intense violence in the region. In a statement addressed to the South African public, he expressed deep concern over the escalating situation, which he described as a humanitarian disaster, with over 43,000 lives lost.
Ramaphosa also recalled that Israel has been committing violence against Palestinians for decades — long before Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 last year. He condemned the violence committed by both sides but particularly emphasized the toll it has taken on Palestinian civilians.
"The majority of those killed over the past year are Palestinian civilians, largely women and children, in the besieged Gaza Strip. It is alarming that more Palestinians are also being killed in the West Bank due to Israeli Defense Force military activities," he stated.
The South African president also highlighted the broader implications of the ongoing conflict, warning that the violence could spiral out of control.
"The escalating situation in the Middle East is of grave concern. It threatens to plunge the region into a war in which civilians will inevitably bear the greatest and the most cruel brunt of this conflict," Ramaphosa said, pointing to the growing hostilities between Israel, Lebanon, and Iran.
He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need to uphold international law.
"We remain committed to the peaceful resolution to ending the occupation of Palestine, to upholding the tenets of international law, and to advancing social justice," he said.
Ramaphosa concluded by urging the global community to act swiftly, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for international law. He also announced that South Africa would soon file a case with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Palestine.