Cape Town — South Africa has reportedly committed R50 million in humanitarian aid to support war-stricken Gaza.
The money will be channelled through the United Nations refugee relief agency, UNRWA.
South Africa is one of the countries who has strongly opposed Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the ill-treatment of Palestinian civilians. In late May, South Africa reaffirmed its case against Israel and requested more measures be put in place to prevent Israel from attacking Rafah.
According to SABC News, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services (JCS), Ronald Lamola, is leading the South African delegation to Jordan, who is hosting an emergency international conference on the urgent humanitarian response for Gaza.
The conference aims to address the terrible situation in Gaza and emphasises aid and protection for civilians. Lamola said a ceasefire is the only solution to enable humanitarian aid.
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola is leading a team representing South Africa to a high-level conference on the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. He says the conference is to look into how other countries can participate in providing aid to Gaza.https://t.co/QNga47kyAq pic.twitter.com/eAU2FkM8h2
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 10, 2024
Lamola said Israel can no longer continue to act above international law. He said Israel’s non-compliance with UN resolutions was affecting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, EWN reported.
“All states are bound by international humanitarian law and we can’t see why others see themselves as above international humanitarian law. Accountability must be called for,” the report quoted the minister as saying.
South Africa welcomed the UN’s resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lamola supported the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) intentions to hold Israeli and Hamas leaders responsible for the atrocities committed in the area and supported the UN interventions to restore society in Gaza.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
