Genocide, war crimes: South Africa refers Israel’s military op in Gaza to ICC

He said the ongoing military action by Israel in Gaza has turned the Palestinian town into a concentration camp.

He reiterated South Africa’s position on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict stating that the world must unite to stop the carnage.

“Gaza is now a concentration camp where genocide is taking place.

“We have accordingly…referred this whole Israeli government operation to the International Criminal Court …because we believe that war crimes are being committed there,” he said in an interview.

South Africa became the first African country to openly criticize Israel’s military operation which started after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israeli territory.

Pretoria has also recalled its diplomats from Israel in the wake of the development.

Ramaphosa made the comments on the sideline of his state visit to Qatar.