By The assault in Gaza by Israel has been continuing for five months and about 32 333 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, including 13 000 children. South Africa has been championing the call for a cease fire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid and the demand for a cease fire by the UN is very much welcomed by South Africa.
The United Nations Security Council on Monday 25 March 2024, made a resolution that demanded an immediate cease fire in the Gaza strip for the holy month of Ramadan.
Though South Africa is hoping for a permanent stay, the Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Dr Naledi Pandor has welcomed the resolution.
“South Africa is pleased that the Security Council has, at long last, demanded an immediate and lasting ceasefire for the month of Ramadan and the Resolution must also proposed that this ceasefire should lead to a lasting sustainable ceasefire. It is now the responsibility of the United Nations Security Council to ensure that there is compliance with the resolution, which is binding on the parties,” said Dr. Naledi Pandor.
Pandor expressed her concern regarding the high number of children losing their lives in the conflict and urged both parties to comply with the Security Council’s resolution as it stated that there is an urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip.
“It is therefore vital that the parties comply with the Security Council, “demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale, in line with international humanitarian law, as well as Resolution 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023),” said the Minister.
