The department of international relations and cooperation (Dirco) has condemned Israel for violating the Geneva Conventions and abandoning international humanitarian law by denying Gaza food, water, electricity and fuel.
Israeli authorities have stopped electricity and water supplies to the Gaza Strip and no movement of food, fuel, health and other humanitarian supplies is allowed, worsening the already dire situation.
"South Africa calls on Israel to immediately heed the calls of the UN secretary-general, the plethora of humanitarian organisations operating in Gaza and a number of governments around the world to immediately provide water, food, fuel and electricity to the people of Gaza. South Africa also calls for the release of the Israeli hostages taken into Gaza," Dirco said.
Article 14 of the Geneva Conventions states that starvation of civilians as a method of combat is prohibited, it added.
The article says it is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless for that purpose objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies, and irrigation works.
The department said the UN Commission on Human Rights has previously declared Israel's “continuous grave breaches” of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Additional Protocol I to be war crimes.
"Today’s announcement by Israel, giving 1.1-million Gazans 24 hours to leave the northern Gaza Strip and evacuate to the South of Gaza, will lead to further catastrophe as according to humanitarian organisations on the ground, there are not enough resources to host so many IDPs (internally displaced persons) in other governorates — not enough shelter, aid or water.
"The UN has announced that UN schools turned into shelters are already overrun with shortages in resources, including food, water, medicine and other humanitarian provisions, as required under international law," said Dirco.
TimesLIVE
SA condemns Israel's water, electricity and goods sanctions on Gaza
Image: Amir Cohen/Reuters
The department of international relations and cooperation (Dirco) has condemned Israel for violating the Geneva Conventions and abandoning international humanitarian law by denying Gaza food, water, electricity and fuel.
Israeli authorities have stopped electricity and water supplies to the Gaza Strip and no movement of food, fuel, health and other humanitarian supplies is allowed, worsening the already dire situation.
"South Africa calls on Israel to immediately heed the calls of the UN secretary-general, the plethora of humanitarian organisations operating in Gaza and a number of governments around the world to immediately provide water, food, fuel and electricity to the people of Gaza. South Africa also calls for the release of the Israeli hostages taken into Gaza," Dirco said.
Article 14 of the Geneva Conventions states that starvation of civilians as a method of combat is prohibited, it added.
The article says it is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless for that purpose objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies, and irrigation works.
The department said the UN Commission on Human Rights has previously declared Israel's “continuous grave breaches” of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Additional Protocol I to be war crimes.
"Today’s announcement by Israel, giving 1.1-million Gazans 24 hours to leave the northern Gaza Strip and evacuate to the South of Gaza, will lead to further catastrophe as according to humanitarian organisations on the ground, there are not enough resources to host so many IDPs (internally displaced persons) in other governorates — not enough shelter, aid or water.
"The UN has announced that UN schools turned into shelters are already overrun with shortages in resources, including food, water, medicine and other humanitarian provisions, as required under international law," said Dirco.
TimesLIVE
READ MORE:
LISTEN | 'Inhumane treatment' for South African teachers stranded abroad after job offers
More than 400,000 people displaced in Gaza, says UN as it appeals for $300m
UN agency warns food, fresh water rapidly running out in Gaza
Israel calls for civilians to leave Gaza City as ‘significant operation’ looms
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos