South African president accuses Israel of war crimes and genocide

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said that Israel is violating international law by committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza.

"The collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel is a war crime. The deliberate denial of medicine, fuel, food and water to the residents of Gaza is tantamount to genocide,"

During Tuesday's extraordinary summit of the BRICS nations, President Ramaphosa, who chaired the meeting, called for an 'immediate and comprehensive ceasefire' and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to civilians.

The Palestinian health authority in Gaza said the number of people who have been killed by Israel since the war began has reached 14,128. Among the dead are at least 5,840 children.