Cape Town, Oct 14 (NationPress) The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, stated on Tuesday that although the recent peace agreement regarding Gaza is a positive development, it will not alter the nation's ongoing case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Ramaphosa made this declaration while addressing inquiries in the National Council of Provinces during a parliamentary session in Cape Town, according to Xinhua news agency.

"The peace agreement that has been established, which we appreciate, will not influence the case currently before the International Court of Justice. The case is advancing, and we are now at a point where Israel is required to respond to our submissions filed in court by January of next year," Ramaphosa conveyed to the assembly.

While South Africa applauds the initial phase of peace, encompassing the ceasefire and the release of both Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, Ramaphosa emphasized that genuine justice must ultimately be attained for the Palestinian people.

"Progress cannot occur without the necessary healing, which will also stem from the proper adjudication of the case we have initiated," he remarked.

In December 2023, South Africa initiated proceedings at the ICJ, seeking an order to mandate Israel to cease its attacks on Palestine and to classify these actions as genocide. In January and March 2024, the court implemented provisional measures, directing Israel to guarantee the immediate supply of essential food resources in Gaza.

Ramaphosa noted that, as a participant in the ICJ proceedings, South Africa cannot pressure the court to hasten its decision, despite Israel's ongoing violations of several provisional measures mandated by the ICJ. However, he underscored that international efforts are actively pursuing an end to Israel's unlawful activities in Gaza while ensuring accountability for atrocities against Palestinians.

"These initiatives are underway at the United Nations through the Hague Group, a global coalition of states dedicated to upholding international law and standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people," Ramaphosa stated.

"The South African government remains steadfastly committed to utilizing every legal and diplomatic strategy available to safeguard the Palestinian people and uphold the rule of law," he concluded.