The government has condemned the killing of civilians amid the ongoing conflict between the Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation criticised the bombing of the Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday night.
The attack left more than 500 people dead and hundreds injured.
“Just as the attack by Hamas on civilians in Israel was abhorrent, there are no words to fully express South Africa’s condemnation of Israel’s bombing of the Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital on October 17, killing well over 500 people and injuring over 1 000,” the department said.
“The targeting of a hospital, considered a safe haven under international humanitarian law, is a war crime.
“Similarly, the killing of the people of Gaza by Israel in 12 days of aerial bombardment of hospitals, schools, apartment buildings, and essential infrastructure is also war crimes.
“The continual bombardment of civilian targets, the denial of the civilian population of Gaza of water, food, fuel, and electricity is prohibited under international humanitarian law and by Geneva Conventions.”
Violation of international humanitarian law
The department said the bombing of the hospital in Gaza is the most blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
“Doctors are operating without anaesthetics and do not have the medical equipment or supplies to treat the victims.
“The suffering of children and their parents is unspeakable and unfathomable in this day and age, and there must be consequences for these actions, otherwise the international structures established to maintain international peace and security have utterly failed.”
The department explained further: “The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, which was bombed on Tuesday night, is one of 22 hospitals in northern Gaza which were ordered by the Israeli military to evacuate patients and staff within 24 hours or face consequences.”
Israel evacuation order
The Israeli evacuation order drew swift condemnation from the World Health Organisation and other UN agencies.
According to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) officials, 4 000 internally displaced people who were sheltering in an UNRWA school were also bombed by Israeli air strikes on Tuesday.
“Hospitals have run out of fuel for ambulances or to run generators that enable the existing hospitals to function,” the department said.
“Under international humanitarian law and Geneva Conventions, Israel has committed war crimes and needs to be held responsible for its actions by the International Criminal Court and the international community as a whole.”
The government also called on the international community to end its indifference to the gross violations against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and for the UN Security Council to take enforcement action to halt the unfolding genocide.
“South Africa calls for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate opening of a humanitarian corridor to allow in medicine, food and supplies.
“South Africa calls on Israel to cease its genocidal campaign against the Palestinians and open the water taps, provide food for civilians, electricity and fuel for the ambulances and hospitals.”
It also called on the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Ahmad Khan, to immediately signal his intention to investigate Israel’s bombing and other war crimes, and include in his investigation the liability of those aiding and abetting these crimes.
