By Amy Musgrave
South Africa has welcomed a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of Israel’s “genocidal onslaught on Gaza”, which has claimed the lives of more than 46,000 Palestinians – mostly women and children.
South Africa has called for the implementation of a just and lasting peace that ensures the human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis are protected and promoted, the International Relations and Cooperation Department said in a statement late on Wednesday night.
“The ceasefire agreement is a crucial first step towards ending the severe humanitarian crisis faced by the 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has deemed to be plausibly genocidal,” the department said.
The ceasefire must lay the basis for a just peace which should include the establishment of a contiguous, independent and viable Palestinian state.
“Palestinian sovereignty and territorial integrity must be upheld. It is imperative that no land is annexed in either Gaza or the West Bank following the ceasefire, and that illegal settlement expansion is halted,” it said.
In accordance with the successive rulings of the ICJ, provisional measures prescribed by the court must be adhered to by Israel, and international law and humanitarian law must be respected and upheld, the statement said.
Israel has come under heavy international criticism over the deaths of civilians. While it has not provided evidence, it claims it has killed around 17,000 militants.
The war started after Hamas launched an attack on Israel. Israel has repeatedly blamed Hamas for the civilian casualties, accusing it of using hospitals, residential areas and schools for military purposes.
The ICJ is currently investigating allegations brought by South Africa that Israel has committed genocide, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence chief Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas commander for war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the war.
The ICJ and ICC are international judicial institutions located in the Hague.
Israel and the United States have condemned the actions taken by both courts.
South Africa said immediate and massive humanitarian aid was urgently needed to provide relief to civilians in Gaza.
“All obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid must be lifted immediately and unconditionally, allowing civilians unrestricted access to essential food, water, shelter and healthcare,” the department said.
Over 90% of the population in Gaza has been displaced.
The World Food Programme (WFP) said on Wednesday night that it was poised to roll out assistance to more than one million people, but needed urgent funds
“… a ceasefire is only the start – not the end – of what’s needed to reach desperate and hungry families in Gaza. WFP needs US$300 million to meet urgent needs in the enclave over the next six months,” it said in a statement.
The war has left more than two million people fully dependent on food assistance, homeless and without any income.
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