Hamas violated international law – South Africa

Pretoria condemns “all acts of violence,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said at a meeting of BRICS leaders

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned Hamas for taking Israeli civilians as hostages and insisted that the Palestinian militant group should face punishment. Ramaphosa’s government has also been outspoken in its criticism of Israel.

Speaking at a BRICS+ summit on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said that Hamas’ actions on October 7 – including the killing of around 1,200 people and the kidnapping of around 240 hostages – represent a violation of international law.

“We condemn all acts of violence… including those aimed at Israeli civilians,” Ramaphosa said, adding that “civilians must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.”

The South African president, who hosted the virtual summit, said that BRICS leaders and delegates from prospective member states all agreed that “there must be an immediate…