Pretoria: South Africa condemned the bombing of civilian targets in the Gaza Strip by Israel, following a missile strike last week on the Al-Ahri Arab hospital in the enclave.

According to Anadolu Agency, South Africa's Foreign Ministry released a statement joining the global condemnation of the bombing, describing it as a violation of international humanitarian law. The ministry highlighted that Israel has bombed, burned, and destroyed at least 35 hospitals in Gaza since October 2023.

The statement emphasized that attacks on health facilities, medical personnel, and patients are considered war crimes under the IV Geneva Convention of 1949. It also pointed out the killing of 15 Palestinian health and civil defense workers in Gaza, who were allegedly targeted by Israeli forces during a rescue mission. The ministry stressed that deliberate attacks on medics and humanitarian workers are prohibited by international law and constitute war crimes.

Expressing concern about Israel's blockade of aid into Gaza since March 2, the ministry noted that this act defies the binding provisional orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which mandated Israel to ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.

The ministry urged the international community to hold Israel accountable through effective counter-measures, arguing that the impunity enjoyed by Israel has emboldened its actions in Palestine. It also noted that after South Africa initiated proceedings at the International Court of Justice against Israel for violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention in Gaza, several countries, including Colombia, Cuba, Libya, Mexico, Spain, Belize, and Trkiye, joined the case.

Additionally, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.