South Africa condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza hospitals, labels them war crimes, and urges international accountability.

South Africa has condemned the bombing of civilian targets in the Gaza Strip by Israel, following a missile strike last week on the Al-Ahli Arab hospital in the enclave. In a statement released late Wednesday, the South African Foreign Ministry expressed strong disapproval, stating that the country “joins the global condemnation of the bombing, which is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.”

The statement highlighted that since October 2023, Israel has bombed, burned, and destroyed at least 35 hospitals in Gaza. It emphasized that such actions are in direct violation of the IV Geneva Convention of 1949, which classifies attacks on health facilities, medical personnel, and patients as war crimes.

The Foreign Ministry drew attention to the reported killing of 15 Palestinian health and civil defense workers in Gaza, stating that they were “deliberately fired upon” by Israeli forces while carrying out a rescue mission. It asserted that deliberate attacks on medics and humanitarian workers are prohibited under international law and constitute war crimes. According to the ministry, first responders, like civilians and other non-combatants, are never legitimate targets in any conflict.

In addition to the attacks on health infrastructure and personnel, the ministry voiced concern over Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2. It stated that this action is in defiance of the binding provisional orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which directed Israel to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.

The South African government called on the international community to hold Israel accountable through effective counter-measures. It warned that the impunity Israel has long enjoyed has only served to embolden its genocidal actions in Palestine.

This condemnation follows South Africa’s move to institute proceedings at the International Court of Justice against Israel for violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention in Gaza. The case has since been supported by several countries, including Colombia, Cuba, Libya, Mexico, Spain, Belize, and Türkiye.

In a related development, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. However, the United States, under President Donald Trump, has sanctioned the ICC in response to its investigations targeting Israeli officials.