Image Source: NPR
World – South Africa has strongly condemned the ongoing targeting of civilian infrastructure in Gaza following the latest missile strike by Israeli forces on the al-Ahli Arab Hospital on Sunday, 13 April. The attack forced the evacuation of wounded patients and left Gaza critically short of emergency care, adding to what Pretoria calls a growing humanitarian crisis.
In a statement, the South African government said, “South Africa joins the global condemnation of the bombing, which is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. Israel has bombed, burned and destroyed at least 35 hospitals in Gaza since the start of the war in October 2023.”
Citing the IV Geneva Convention of 1949, South Africa noted that such attacks on health facilities, medical personnel, and patients are classified as war crimes.
The government also referenced a deadly incident on 23 March, where 15 humanitarian workers—including eight health workers from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and six civil defence personnel—were killed while responding to an emergency. The workers were reportedly deliberately targeted by Israeli military forces.
“Deliberate attacks on medics and humanitarian workers are prohibited by international law and constitute war crimes. First responders like civilians and other non-combatants are never legitimate targets.” the statement added.
South Africa also raised alarm over Israel’s continued blockade on humanitarian aid. Since 2 March, Israel has halted all aid entries into Gaza, contravening binding provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice. The ICJ had mandated that Israel ensure the unrestricted flow of humanitarian assistance.
“The international community must hold Israel accountable through effective counter-measures,” South Africa urged. “The impunity enjoyed by Israel has emboldened its genocidal actions in Palestine.”
The South African government reiterated its call for international legal mechanisms to be enforced and for the protection of civilians and humanitarian staff to be prioritised under global law.
