South Africa condemns Israel for using 'starvation' in Gaza
On Wednesday, South Africa condemned Israel's restriction of aid into war-torn Gaza since the weekend, stating that it amounted to using starvation as a weapon of war.
A fragile ceasefire since January saw an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza, before Israel on Sunday announced it was blocking deliveries until Hamas accepted its terms for an extension of the truce, News.Az reports citing foreign media.
"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," the South African foreign ministry said in a statement, referring to Pretoria's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
"The people of Gaza are experiencing immeasurable suffering and urgently need food, shelter and medical supplies," it added.
"South Africa calls on the international community to hold Israel accountable," it said.
While Israel has said it wants to extend the first phase of the ceasefire until mid-April, Hamas has insisted on a transition to the deal's second phase, which should lead to a permanent end to the war.
South Africa in December 2023 brought a case before the ICJ, arguing that the war in Gaza breached the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, an accusation Israel has strongly denied.
Several nations have added their weight to the proceedings, including Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Turkey, Chile and Libya.
While ICJ rulings are legally binding, the court has no concrete means to enforce them.
South Africa also said it condemned Israel's offensive in the occupied West Bank which has expanded to more areas of Jenin city.
At least three people were killed on Tuesday, the Israeli military said although Palestinian officials reported two dead.
The offensive was "a dangerous escalation, and which further threatens the Palestinian quest for self-determination and statehood," South Africa said.
"The expanded Israeli military presence, now at its highest levels in the West Bank since 2002, signals an intent to re-establish full-scale military occupation," it said.
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