Doha: South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, highlighted the significant role Qatar plays in fostering global peace through diplomacy, conflict resolution, and dialogue. These efforts have earned Qatar appreciation on the international stage.

According to Qatar News Agency, during his participation in the 16th Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, Botes remarked on Qatar's successful mediation, alongside Egypt and the United States, in establishing a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. He expressed South Africa's willingness to collaborate with Qatar and Egypt to implement the ceasefire's three phases, emphasizing the need for lasting peace.

Botes asserted that South Africa is positioned to support solidarity with the Palestinian people, advocating for an independent Palestinian state and the two-state solution. His involvement in the Al Jazeera Forum aligns with South Africa's commitment to utilizing the International Court of Justice to demonstrate that the Israeli entity's recent policies equate to genocide.

He mentioned that compelling evidence supports their stance, and they have submitted a legal memorandum with documented criminal evidence of massacres and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza.

Addressing the international response to South Africa's case against the Israeli entity in the International Court of Justice, Botes expressed satisfaction with the growing number of countries joining the case, noting that several have submitted legal documents while others plan to join.

Botes concluded by highlighting the formation of the Hague Group, consisting of nine countries, aimed at promoting legal accountability against the Israeli entity based on interim measures by the International Court of Justice. He expressed optimism about engaging more Middle Eastern countries to bolster solidarity with Palestine.