South Africa Calls For Israel To Be Investigated For Crimes Against Humanity

South Africa is pressuring the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Israel for potential crimes against humanity.

The country's International Relations department is concerned about the reports emerging from the Middle Eastern region and is worried there could be violations against UN resolutions being committed.

Over the last few weeks, Israel and Palestine have been locked in one of the most intense battles in years.

There have been at least 188 people killed and more than 1,200 wounded on the Palestinian side and 10 people killed and nearly 600 injured on the Israeli side.

Israel's military continued hammering Gaza with airstrikes over the weekend.

The country copped severe condemnation for targeting a building in Gaza that housed journalists from the Associated Press, the BBC and other outlets.

The military said it bombed the building because it housed key Hamas targets, something news outlets have contradicted.

Israeli says it will continue to defend itself as it retaliates against Palestinian missile attacks.

However, South Africa wants the ICC to step in now to prevent more bloodshed.

The government said in a statement: "Israel's actions are in stark violation of international law, and a total disregard of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, (UNSC) including Resolutions 446 (1979) and 2334 (2016) which explicitly call for an end to Israeli occupation and the fulfilment of the rights of the Palestinian people, including to self-determination and independence."

It added that Israel needs to stop 'the barbaric attacks on Palestinians and commit itself to international efforts aimed at reviving a political process, leading to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state'.

In the latest round of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, health authorities say 42 people, including 16 women and 10 children, were wiped out.

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting over the weekend. It was hoped the international body would be able to find a compromise that would satisfy both sides.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the violence being committed as 'utterly appalling'.

However, Israel's Prime Minister has labelled their offensive on Gaza as 'just' and is committed to defending itself until the missile strikes from Hamas stop.

Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address to the nation: "There is no more just or moral operation...You know and I know no country would tolerate this. Israel will not tolerate this. Israel has responded forcefully to these attacks and will continue to respond forcefully."

He admitted there will still be a 'few days' of fighting left and tried to flip the narrative by accusing Hamas of a 'double war crime'.

Netanyahu says Israeli military give advance warning to people in Gaza of the buildings they intend to target and allow for enough time for residents to evacuate before the airstrikes hit.

He said Hamas just fires rockets at Israeli citizens without care of who survives.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: south africa, News, Palestine

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie