File Photo: Palestinians gather and react as they try to get food aid in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza, amid continuing Israeli war on the Strip. AFP
A fragile ceasefire since January saw an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza before Israel on Sunday announced it was blocking deliveries of food, medicines, fuel and goods until Hamas accepted its new terms for an extension of the truce instead of moving to phase two as stated by the deal.
While Israel has said it wants to extend the first phase of the ceasefire until mid-April, Hamas has insisted on a transition to the deal's second phase, which should lead to a permanent end to the war.
"Preventing food from entering Gaza is a continuation of Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war as part of the ongoing campaign of what the ICJ ruled to be plausible genocide against the Palestinian people," the South African foreign ministry said in a statement, referring to Pretoria's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
"The people of Gaza are experiencing immeasurable suffering and urgently need food, shelter and medical supplies," it added.
"South Africa calls on the international community to hold Israel accountable," it said.
South Africa, in December 2023, brought a case before the ICJ, arguing that the Israeli war in Gaza breached the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention.
Several nations have added their weight to the proceedings, including Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Ireland, Turkey, Chile and Libya.
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