https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231014/south-africa-condemns-israel-for-triggering-further-humanitarian-catastrophe-in-gaza-1062791702.html
South Africa Condemns Israel for Triggering Further Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
South Africa Condemns Israel for Triggering Further Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
Sputnik Africa
On October 9, following a major escalation of the conflict with Palestine, Israel ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to over 2 million people... 14.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-10-14T15:48+0200
2023-10-14T15:48+0200
2023-10-14T15:48+0200
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South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issued a statement on Friday condemning Israel's blockading of the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in millions of Palestinians in the densely populated enclave being denied access to basic necessities such as food, water, electricity, and fuel.The foreign ministry stated that the blockade of the Gaza Strip announced by Israel remains fully enforced, recalling that Israeli authorities had ceased supplying electricity and water to the area, while also prohibiting movements of food, fuel, essential medical supplies, and patients.In particular, South Africa pointed to Israel's "egregious violation" of International Humanitarian Law, saying it violated the obligation not to target civilians and the responsibility to protect them during armed conflicts. It was highlighted that Israeli attacks "from the air, sea, and land" have persisted and escalated throughout the Gaza Strip for six days straight.According to the recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the continued bombing of the Gaza Strip has forced more than 423,000 people to leave their homes. On October 13, the Israeli military announced that the entire population of Gaza north, or approximately 1.1 million people, should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours. In response, the UN urged Israel to rescind the order, as it considered it "impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences."Similarly, South Africa's foreign ministry expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of the relocation, citing inadequate resources to accommodate the large number of internally displaced people, including a shortage of shelter, aid, and water.Since Wednesday, Gaza has experienced a total power outage that has led essential healthcare, as well as water and sanitation services, "to the brink of collapse," the UN agency said in its latest update on the situation. This follows Israel's decision to stop providing electricity and fuel to Gaza, which resulted in the closure of its only power plant due to depleted fuel reserves.Against this backdrop, Pretoria urged Israel to promptly comply with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' appeal to permit vital life-saving provisions, such as fuel, food, and water, into Gaza.Moreover, South Africa called for the release of the Israeli hostages taken into Gaza, noting that between 100 and 150 Israelis, including civilians, some of whom are women and children, as well as foreign nationals, are currently in captivity. The hostilities commenced last Saturday when the Palestinian movement Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, an unexpected multipronged attack that included rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land. Hamas claimed that the assault was a response to the violent behavior of Israeli settlers toward Palestinians and the incursion of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. In response, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron to strike against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Israel also cut off water and electricity supplies to Gaza, exacerbating the already dire living conditions in the area.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231014/unicef-believes-displacement-in-gaza-to-provoke-humanitarian-crisis-1062785822.html
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israel, gaza, palestine, hamas, middle east, human rights, humanitarian aid , south africa, united nations (un)
israel, gaza, palestine, hamas, middle east, human rights, humanitarian aid , south africa, united nations (un)
South Africa Condemns Israel for Triggering Further Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
On October 9, following a major escalation of the conflict with Palestine, Israel ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to over 2 million people, thereby cutting off supplies of water, food, and fuel. Since the start of hostilities last week, both sides have reported over 1,300 deaths and thousands injured.
South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issued a
statement on Friday condemning Israel's blockading of the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in millions of Palestinians in the densely populated enclave being denied access to basic necessities such as food, water, electricity, and fuel.
"[South Africa] condemns in the strongest possible terms Israel's violation of the Geneva Conventions and the abandonment of International Humanitarian Law in Gaza, by their intentional denial of food, water, electricity, and fuel to the people of Gaza," read the statement.
The foreign ministry stated that the blockade of the Gaza Strip announced by Israel remains fully enforced, recalling that Israeli authorities had ceased supplying electricity and water to the area, while also prohibiting movements of food, fuel, essential medical supplies, and patients.
In particular, South Africa pointed to Israel's "egregious violation" of International Humanitarian Law, saying it violated the obligation not to target civilians and the responsibility to protect them during armed conflicts. It was highlighted that Israeli attacks "from the air, sea, and land" have persisted and escalated throughout the Gaza Strip for six days straight.
According to the recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the continued bombing of the Gaza Strip
has forced more than 423,000 people to leave their homes.
On October 13, the Israeli military announced that the entire population of Gaza north, or approximately 1.1 million people, should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours. In response, the UN urged Israel to rescind the order, as it considered it "impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences."
Similarly, South Africa's foreign ministry expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of the
relocation, citing inadequate resources to accommodate the large number of internally displaced people, including a shortage of shelter, aid, and water.
Since Wednesday, Gaza has experienced a total power outage that has led essential healthcare, as well as water and sanitation services, "to the brink of collapse," the UN agency said in its latest update on the situation. This follows Israel's decision to stop providing electricity and fuel to Gaza, which resulted in the closure of its only power plant due to depleted fuel reserves.
Against this backdrop, Pretoria urged Israel to promptly comply with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' appeal to
permit vital life-saving provisions, such as fuel, food, and water, into Gaza.
"South Africa calls on Israel to immediately heed the calls of the UN Secretary General, the plethora of humanitarian organization operating in Gaza, and a number of governments around the world to immediately provide water, food, fuel, and electricity to the people of Gaza," the ministry said.
Moreover, South Africa called for the release of the Israeli hostages taken into Gaza, noting that between 100 and 150 Israelis, including civilians, some of whom are women and children, as well as foreign nationals, are currently in captivity.
The
hostilities commenced last Saturday when the Palestinian movement Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, an unexpected multipronged attack that included rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land.
Hamas claimed that the assault was a response to the violent behavior of Israeli settlers toward Palestinians and the incursion of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.
In response, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron to strike against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Israel also cut off water and electricity supplies to Gaza, exacerbating the already dire living conditions in the area.
