South Africa has condemned Israel’s blockage of humanitarian aid in Gaza, characterizing it as starvation used as a weapon of war. The nation urges international accountability and highlights the grave humanitarian needs in the region. Furthermore, South Africa denounced Israel’s military actions in the West Bank, condemning them as a dangerous escalation of conflict.
On Wednesday, South Africa condemned Israel’s hindrance of humanitarian aid to Gaza, labeling this action as a use of starvation as a weapon of war. This announcement was made following a fragile ceasefire that had facilitated significant aid inflows into the region. The Israeli government declared on Sunday that it would suspend aid deliveries until Hamas complied with its ceasefire extension conditions.
The South African foreign ministry issued a statement asserting, “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.” It further emphasized the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza, stating that the local population urgently requires food, shelter, and medical supplies.
Additionally, South Africa has urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions. While Israel has expressed a desire to prolong the ceasefire until mid-April, Hamas has insisted on advancing to a permanent ceasefire agreement.
In December 2023, South Africa presented a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), claiming that Israel’s actions in Gaza violate the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, a charge that Israel vehemently denies. Numerous nations, including Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, Turkey, Chile, and Libya, have supported South Africa’s stance in these proceedings.
The ICJ’s rulings, while legally binding, lack enforcement mechanisms, rendering them ineffective in practical terms. Furthermore, South Africa denounced Israel’s military offensive in the occupied West Bank, particularly in Jenin, where recent clashes have resulted in casualties. The South African government labeled this offensive “a dangerous escalation” that jeopardizes Palestinian aspirations for self-determination and statehood, signaling a heightened military presence reminiscent of past occupations.
In conclusion, South Africa has raised significant concerns regarding Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza and its military operations in the West Bank. The accusation of starvation as a weapon of war underscores the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza. Moreover, South Africa’s legal actions at the ICJ and calls for international accountability highlight the ongoing conflicts and challenges facing the Palestinian people.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
