International relations minister Naledi Pandor. On Tuesday, she called for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. [Picture: Gallo]
South Africa has joined the global chorus for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, as the 17th day of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza drew to a close. Foreign affairs minister Dr Naledi Pandor made the call during a debate at the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday.
Addressing her global counterparts during the Open Debate of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, Pandor said the South African government “joins the urgent calls for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire and that humanitarian corridors should be opened so that aid and other basic services reach all those in need”.
Since apartheid Israel launched attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip, at least 5 791 Palestinians have been killed. No less than 2 400 were children. On the Israeli side, at least 1 400 people have been killed since 7 October.
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Ceasefire and international law
In addition to calling for a ceasefire and pleading for humanitarian corridors to allow the flow of aid into Gaza, Pandor called out both Hamas and Israel for the “blatant targeting of civilians” in violation of international law.
“The killing of civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza by Israeli forces goes against the tenets of international law, which prohibits the targeting of non- combatants, especially women, the aged and children,” she said.
However, she added, “This does not detract from South Africa’s concern at the actions of Hamas which also targeted non-combatants”.
Meanwhile, the United States (US) appears to have suddenly grown concerned about the unfolding humanitarian crises in Gaza. After rejecting several calls for a ceasefire, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said “humanitarian pauses must be considered”.
The US wholeheartedly backed Israel as it pummelled a sovereign territory, but on Tuesday Blinken urged Israel to “take all possible precautions to avoid harm to civilians”. He further called for the supply of food, medicine and water to Gaza.
