South Africa has condemned Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling it a tactic of starvation in warfare. Asserting the need for international accountability, South Africa has also highlighted Israel’s military actions in the West Bank. These developments align with ongoing proceedings at the ICJ regarding alleged breaches of the Genocide Convention.
On Wednesday, South Africa condemned Israel’s recent restriction of humanitarian aid to Gaza, asserting that it constitutes the use of starvation as a weapon of war. Following a fragile ceasefire that allowed for aid influx since January, Israel announced a blockade until Hamas accepted its terms for an extension of the truce. This action has drawn criticism for exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The South African foreign ministry stated, “Preventing food from entering Gaza is a continuation of Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war as part of the ongoing campaign of what the ICJ ruled to be plausible genocide against the Palestinian people.” They emphasized the urgent need for food, medical supplies, and shelter for the suffering people in Gaza and called upon the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
While Israel seeks to extend the ceasefire until mid-April, Hamas is advocating for a transition to a second phase that would aim for a permanent resolution to the conflict. South Africa has lodged a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), claiming that Israel’s actions in Gaza breach the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, a position that Israel strongly refutes. Supporting nations in these proceedings include Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Turkiye, Chile, and Libya.
In addition to the situation in Gaza, South Africa condemned Israel’s military actions in the occupied West Bank, particularly a recent offensive in Jenin which resulted in civilian casualties. The South African government described the escalation of military presence as a significant threat to Palestinian self-determination and accused Israel of signaling an intent to re-establish military occupation. They noted that this current military offensive has displaced thousands and represented an increase in Israeli military operations not seen since 2002.
In summary, South Africa has taken a strong position against Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, labeling it as a tactic of war that inflicts starvation on the Palestinian people. The calls for accountability and the ongoing proceedings at the ICJ further underscore the international ramifications of this conflict. Additionally, South Africa expresses serious concern over the escalating violence and military operations in the occupied West Bank, highlighting the broader implications for Palestinian self-determination.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
