Image Source: RFI
World – The South African government has strongly condemned the massive Israeli airstrikes launched across Gaza on Tuesday, which have resulted in the deaths of over 400 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children.
In a statement, the government criticised Israel’s continued military actions despite ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire.
“The fatal attacks were reportedly greenlighted by the Israeli leadership more than a week ago, which again raises concerns about the commitment to a permanent ceasefire as envisaged in the ceasefire plan brokered by the USA, Egypt and Qatar.”
The attacks targeted densely populated neighbourhoods, makeshift schools, and residential buildings where civilians had sought refuge. The South African government warned that such actions are a blatant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law.
“The provisional orders issued by the International Court of Justice oblige Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide, ensure humanitarian assistance reaches Gaza, and to preserve evidence related to alleged genocide.”
The government also expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With Israel enforcing a total blockade, millions of people are facing severe food and water shortages as aid deliveries remain blocked and energy supplies are cut off.
“Israel, which has enforced a total blockade of Gaza, has now issued new forced displacement orders for several areas,” the government stated, warning that these measures are making an already dire situation even worse.
Meanwhile, the United Nations’ Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi, described the latest airstrikes as “unconscionable” and called for the ceasefire to be reinstated immediately.
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Israeli Attacks on Syria
The South African government also condemned Israel’s targeted military strikes in southern Syria, which killed at least two people and injured 19 others in the Deraa province.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israel had struck a military site previously used by former President Bashar al-Assad’s forces but now controlled by Syria’s transitional government.
“Israel’s airstrikes and previous statements that it does not want any Syrian military presence in the south of Syria is a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
