South Africa Condemns Killings at Gaza Aid Distribution Site, Urges Immediate International Action
Pretoria, 2 June 2025 – The South African Government has issued a strong condemnation of the recent attack by Israeli forces near an aid distribution site in Rafah, Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of at least 31 Palestinian civilians and injuries to over 150 others, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The incident, which targeted individuals seeking humanitarian aid, has been described as a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
In an official statement, the South African Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) called for an immediate, impartial, and transparent international investigation into the killings. The Ministry underscored that Israel, as the occupying power, bears full legal responsibility under international law to ensure the protection of civilians and to facilitate unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance.
South Africa expressed deep concern over the systematic marginalization of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), a critical provider of aid in Gaza. The Ministry warned that the attack and ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access could constitute the use of starvation as a method of warfare, a practice explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law.
“The events in Rafah are not an isolated tragedy but a direct result of the continued bombardment, siege, occupation, and collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” the DIRCO statement read.
South Africa joins the international community in demanding urgent action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to hold those responsible for violations of international law accountable. The government reiterated its commitment to advocating for the protection of civilian lives and the upholding of global humanitarian standards.
