Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the International Criminal Court (ICC) should investigate Israel for war crimes after a hospital was bombed in Gaza, killing more than 500 people and leaving hundreds injured.

But the government hasn't approached the ICC yet, Ntshaveni said at a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday.

"Israel's bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital that killed well over 500 people and injured over 1 000 is, in fact, a war crime as hospitals are considered a safe haven under international humanitarian law. 

"Cabinet calls on the International Criminal Court to investigate the bombing and the crime of genocide in this conflict and on the international community not to allow the perpetration of another holocaust under its watch. The Jewish Holocaust is enough stain in the history of mankind for the international community to fold its arms while the Israeli government perpetrates a Palestinian holocaust," Ntshavheni said. 

Israel has denied responsibility for the hospital bombing and the country's defence force has blamed jihadists. 

US President Joe Biden, who is in Israel on a solidarity visit, condemned the bombing but appeared to believe the version supplied by Israel. 

Nthsavheni said the South African government did not need to wait for a briefing from anyone to believe that Israel was responsible for the bombing and added that the country "can't runway for taking responsibility".

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said what was happening to Palestinians was evil.

"They are stateless, and people are dying every day, and we are saying, let's have a two-state solution. We condemn the killing of Israeli citizens

"Joe Biden and other US presidents have said they support the state of Israel. For America, every solution to a problem is arms. That is the Americans' answer to everything. There is a problem in the Middle East, and their answer is, we will give you arms," Mbalula said

"Where does the notion of peace come in for a superpower like America? At some point, we must try and negotiate peace."

Greylisting

Turning to a different topic, Ntshaveni said Cabinet had also been briefed on South Africa's greylisting status by the Financial Action Task Force (FAFT) in February. 

Several areas identified by the FATF showed that the country was not complying with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing standards.

Ntshavheni said the deadline to address the non-compliance was 2025. So far, the country is on track with its efforts to do so. 

"Cabinet noted progress in addressing greylisting deficiencies identified by the FATF, rerating at least 14 technical compliance deficiencies and positive progress in 17 of 22 action items against the original action plan.

"Cabinet approved the Updated Operational Framework for Targeted Financial Sanctions to bind the conduct of all agencies involved in the process of designating people and entities in terms of amended section 23 of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Amendment (POCDARATA) Act," she said.

The minister said a meeting at the end of October would consider whether the country had taken enough steps so far in adhering to the concerns raised by the FATF. 

"The timeline for South Africa to be moved out of greylisting is 2025. That is why we continue to work to ensure we meet the obligation. The greylisting has an impact on the economy and performance of the country," Ntshavheni said.

New appointments

Meanwhile, Cabinet has approved Onderstepoort Biological Products Board appointments.

The following people were appointed:

• Professor Peace Mabeta;
• Dr Natalie Skeepers;
• Mokutule Kgobokoe;
• Sinovuyo Matai;
• Rajesh Mahabeer;
• Dr Len Konar; 
• Dr Linda Makuleni-Tompson

Kwazi Mshengu, who previously served as an ANC KwaZulu-Natal MPL and Education MEC in the same province, has been appointed board trustee at the Independent Development Trust. 

This is his second board appointment in recent months.

He was appointed as a board member of the uMngeni-uThukela water board in KZN.