South Africa affirmed today, Friday, that the killing of Palestinians waiting for aid in Gaza represents a violation of the provisional orders issued by the International Court of Justice in a legal case where Pretoria accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. Health authorities in Gaza reported yesterday, Thursday, that Israeli forces killed over one hundred Palestinians who were attempting to reach a relief convoy. Israel claimed that most of the deaths resulted from a crowd gathering around aid trucks, leading to a stampede or being run over. An Israeli official also stated that Israeli forces fired later "in a limited response" to crowds that they felt posed a threat to them.
The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation stated, "South Africa condemns the massacre that resulted in the deaths of 112 Palestinians and injured hundreds more while they attempted to obtain life-saving assistance." It added, "This latest brutal act is yet another violation of international law and the binding provisional orders issued by the International Court of Justice." In light of the case filed by South Africa, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel in January to take all necessary measures to prevent its forces from committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and to report on the steps it would take within a month. Israel denied the allegations of committing genocide, claiming it has the right to defend itself.
South Africa's statement indicated that Israel submitted a report to the International Court of Justice, and Pretoria is preparing to respond to it. It further stated, "The immediate and unconditional call for a ceasefire has now become a moral necessity to save lives."
