Israel guilty of war crimes, genocide in Gaza - South Africa President

In his opening remarks as Chair of the virtual meeting, Ramaphosa said the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through Israel’s unlawful use of force constitutes a war crime.
"The deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food and water to the residents of Gaza is tantamount to genocide," the South African leader told the event, attended by the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, whose full BRICS membership starts next year, have also been invited to the meeting.
Ramaphosa said the root cause of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the illegal Occupation of Palestinian territory by Israel, as reflected in UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which states that illegal Israeli settlements constitute “a flagrant violation under international law”.
The South African leader also said his country wants an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, as well as opening of humanitarian corridors.
Ramaphosa further said that the International Criminal Court should urgently start prosecution procedures against those responsible for the perpetration of war crimes.
Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas, on 7 October.
Authorities in Gaza said, Monday, that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the enclave since 7 October has jumped to over 13,300 including 5,600 children, 3,550 women, and 201 medical staff.