African nations recall diplomats from Israel, calling for immediate ceasefire

South Africa and Chad have announced they will recall diplomats from Israel for “consultation” in response to the Israel-Hamas war.

"The South African government has decided to withdraw all of its diplomats in Tel Aviv for consultation,” minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Monday in a news conference to announce the outcome of a cabinet meeting held on November 1.

The South African government told CNN there are three diplomats in Israel to be recalled.

“Cabinet has also noted the continuing disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and the genocide of the Israeli government," Ntshavheni said, adding that the ambassador's role “is becoming very untenable."

"A genocide under the watch of the international community cannot be tolerated,” Ntshavheni said during the briefing.

Israel’s ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky, has been a regular presence in South African media in recent weeks.

In March, South Africa's parliament passed a resolution to downgrade its ties with Israel. The South African government has also been strongly worded in its condemnation of Israel’s operations in Gaza.

“It is a war crime for Israel to directly target Palestinian civilians in hospitals, ambulances, schools, apartment buildings, and in their private cars," the foreign ministry said on Saturday.

The ministry reiterated South Africa’s call for an “immediate ceasefire”.

Meanwhile, Chad recalled the country’s chargé d’affaires to Israel on November 4 in reaction to the conflict in Gaza, according to a statement posted on Facebook by the Chadian ministry of foreign affairs.

The decision to recall the senior diplomat for consultations was taken in “indignation” at the ongoing conflict, said a post on the Chadian presidency website on Monday.

“Chad condemns the loss of human lives of many innocent civilians and calls for a ceasefire leading to a lasting solution to the Palestinian question,” the government spokesperson’s statement said