South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has filed a referral to the International Criminal Court for an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.

The move comes as South African lawmakers were expected to debate a motion on Thursday calling for the closure of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa and the cutting of all diplomatic ties with the country until it agrees to a cease-fire.

Ramaphosa said his country believes Israel is committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed and hospitals and public infrastructure have been destroyed.

He further indicated that as South Africa they have accordingly, together with many other countries across the world, referred this whole Israeli government action to the International Criminal Court.

Moreover, he pointed out that they have put through a referral because they believe that war crimes are being committed in Gaza, And of course they do not condone the actions that were taken by Hamas earlier, but similarly they condemn the actions that are currently underway and believe that they warrant an investigation by the ICC..

Ramaphosa’s ruling African National Congress party said it would support the motion tabled by the leftist opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters for the country to shut down the Israeli Embassy and cut diplomatic ties with the country.