South Africa Demands Urgent Probe After Dozens Killed Waiting for Food in Gaza

When food becomes a risk to life, something has gone terribly wrong. This past weekend, reports from the Gaza Strip painted a devastating picture: dozens of Palestinians killed and hundreds more injured while waiting for food aid. The scenes were heartbreaking, the implications even more so.

Now, South Africa is standing firm and adding its voice to a growing international outcry, calling for a full and impartial investigation into what exactly happened—and who is responsible.

A Scene of Desperation Turns to Horror

It was supposed to be a lifeline. On Sunday morning, thousands of civilians gathered at a humanitarian distribution site in Rafah, southern Gaza. According to local reports, Israeli tanks opened fire on the crowd. Not long after, another person was reportedly gunned down at a separate aid site near Gaza City.

In total, over 32 people were killed, and more than 200 others suffered injuries. For families already grappling with starvation and siege, it was a crushing blow.

Israel’s military has denied involvement, stating that its initial review found no firing on civilians near the aid sites. They blamed Hamas for sabotaging aid efforts and spreading misinformation. But in Gaza, where every day is a struggle for survival, the truth is tangled in competing narratives and an increasingly blurred battlefield.

Dirco Condemns Attack, Demands Accountability

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) did not mince words. In a strongly worded statement, it said the killings reflect the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where even lining up for food has become a fatal risk.

“This atrocity is a stark reminder of the catastrophic and dire conditions under bombardment and siege in Gaza,” Dirco said. “Access to food and essential aid has become a matter of life and death.”

Dirco demanded an international investigation that is not only immediate but genuinely impartial. It reiterated that Israel, as the occupying power, holds the legal responsibility to protect civilians and guarantee access to humanitarian aid.

A System Under Fire: Questions Around the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

This tragedy has also turned the spotlight onto the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a private initiative overseeing some of the aid operations. Dirco and other critics argue that entrusting military personnel with humanitarian relief undermines the core principles of international aid: neutrality, humanity, and independence.

“The targeting, killing and injuring of vulnerable civilians are in grave breach of the Geneva Conventions,” Dirco added, pointing to the legal and ethical crisis emerging from these developments.

The GHF has pushed back, calling the reports of casualties “fake news” driven by Hamas. But the reality on the ground suggests otherwise—dead bodies, injured children, and grieving families are difficult to dismiss as propaganda.

A Reminder From the International Court of Justice

This isn’t the first time South Africa has challenged Israel’s actions on the global stage. Earlier this year, South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The court has since issued several binding orders, including mandates to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian aid. Yet, according to Dirco, those directives have been openly defied.

“These measures were meant to prevent irreparable harm to Gaza’s civilian population,” Dirco stated. “Instead, we continue to witness mass suffering, and this latest tragedy only deepens the crisis.”

The World Can’t Look Away

South Africa is urging governments, institutions, and individuals to raise their voices. The call is for more than just sympathy—it’s a plea for tangible action.

Among the steps Dirco proposes:

• Reinforcing the mandate and funding of UNRWA and other neutral aid organizations.

• Holding Israel accountable through the ICJ, International Criminal Court, and national courts.

• Demanding open humanitarian corridors and lifting the blockade on Gaza.

But perhaps the most urgent ask is for the world to stop treating these deaths as inevitable. “The time for moral and legal clarity is now,” Dirco stressed. “We must act decisively to protect civilians and uphold international law.”

A Crisis That Demands a Human Response

When people are killed simply for trying to eat, the situation can no longer be ignored. This is not just a conflict—it’s a humanitarian collapse.

South Africa’s stance is clear: human life must come before politics. Now, the ball is in the international community’s court. Will the world stand up for justice? Or will this become just another statistic in a long list of forgotten tragedies?

If you believe in the right to food, safety, and dignity for all, raise your voice. Demand accountability. Demand action. Gaza cannot wait.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com