Middle East peace deal won't change SA's case against Israel at ICJ - Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that while South Africa applauds a peace deal brokered in the Middle East, it won’t change South Africa’s case in the International Court of Justice.

The court is seized with determining whether Israel committed genocide in the occupied territory of Gaza in retaliation for Hamas taking more than 250 people hostage from Israel two years ago.

Answering questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said South Africa would continue to advocate for Palestinians.

After the court granted it an extension in April, Israel is now due to deliver its counter-memorial containing its response to South Africa’s main arguments in January.

South Africa filed its memorial a year ago.

Ramaphosa said that while he expects the release of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages to enhance this week’s peace deal, it does not impact on government’s case in the Hague court.

"South Africa has taken decisive action in advocating the rights of the people of Palestine and in doing so, at times we’ve done it at great cost to ourselves as a country. We are prepared for that."

Ramaphosa said that despite the ceasefire, Israel still has to answer for the atrocities committed in Gaza.

"Whilst we welcome the peace deal, we do believe that in the end, real justice must be done to the people of Palestine. We can not go forward without the healing that needs to take place that will also result from the case that has been launched, being properly heard."

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF)’s Virgill Gericke said his party was not optimistic about the peace deal holding, viewing it as a deal between friends - US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.