During a virtual summit hosted by South Africa, the BRICS group of nations, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, came together to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and called for an immediate and sustained humanitarian truce in Gaza. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Israel of war crimes and genocide in the Palestinian territory, emphasizing the need for a cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians. The group expressed their strong support for regional and international efforts aimed at achieving peace and ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid to the affected areas.

The conflict has seen continuous fighting, with Hamas gunmen killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during cross-border raids. In retaliation, Israel launched a relentless bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza, resulting in a considerable loss of life, including thousands of children. President Ramaphosa denounced the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel, referring to it as a war crime. He further condemned the deliberate denial of basic necessities such as medicine, fuel, food, and water to the residents of Gaza, equating it to genocide.

The summit also saw discussions on the importance of a long-term diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to ensure lasting peace. Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need for an international peace conference, stating that sustainable peace and security in the Middle East cannot be achieved without a just solution to the question of Palestine. China, historically sympathetic to the Palestinians and supportive of a two-state solution, has sought to play a greater role in the Middle East. It has facilitated a historic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran and sent an envoy to the region to advocate for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. As a counterweight to the US and Western-led global order, BRICS sees itself as a platform to address global issues.

The leaders and representatives of BRICS highlighted the importance of addressing the concerns of the Palestinian people in a serious and sustainable manner. They advocated for a two-state solution based on peaceful coexistence as the path towards resolution. Furthermore, representatives from Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates were invited to the talks, as these countries are scheduled to join BRICS in January 2024. South Africa, a long-standing supporter of the Palestinian cause, has continuously voiced its support for the Palestinian struggle, often drawing parallels between the Palestinian cause and its own struggle against apartheid.

Earlier this month, South Africa recalled all its diplomats from Israel and, alongside four other nations, called for an International Criminal Court investigation into the conflict. In response, Israel also recalled its ambassador to Pretoria for consultations. While the BRICS summit addressed the Israel-Hamas conflict, a separate delegation of foreign ministers from the Palestinian Authority, Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan engaged in talks this week to seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict. The international community hopes that these collective efforts will bring about a much-needed ceasefire and pave the way for a lasting peace in the region.