Civil defense personnel watch over a fire spreading at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a market in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh on October 12, 2024. (Photo by ABBAS FAKIH/AFP via Getty Images)
South Africa on Monday condemned Israel's onslaught on Lebanon as a violation of international law and warned it risked plunging the Middle East into all-out war.
“The international community cannot afford to remain indifferent,” the Ministry of International Relations said in a statement.
“South Africa calls for an immediate end to the bombing campaign, as the longer the war drags on, the greater the risk that the region will fall under heavy military fire, posing a serious threat to international peace and security.”
The paper said 22 people were reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on central Beirut last Thursday, in a densely populated residential area “apart from Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah's headquarters have been repeatedly bombed in recent weeks.” He said he was targeted.
Pretoria also accused Israel of repeatedly “crossing the Blue Line” with ground incursions into southern Lebanon, where 10,400 peacekeepers under Spanish command are deployed.
A number of peacekeepers were injured in Israeli military attacks in Lebanon last week.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Israel to respect the organization's position after Israeli tanks entered a peacekeeping military base in Ramya, in southern Israel, on Sunday. The U.N. Security Council was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting later Monday.
Israel on Monday issued new evacuation orders for more than a dozen cities and towns in southern Lebanon and overnight attacked school facilities in the Gaza Strip where families had taken refuge.
The strike in Nouseirat left 20 people dead, according to the United Nations aid agency. Israel said it targeted Hamas fighters inside the compound.
The Ministry of International Relations accused Israel of “continuing to violate international humanitarian law with impunity” in the Gaza Strip.
The report called for an immediate end to Israel's bombing campaign in the region and elsewhere in the region, adding: ”
The warning comes after the United States confirmed on Sunday that it would send an advanced missile defense system to Israel, along with about 100 troops, in the first US deployment to Israel since the Hamas attack on Israel a year ago. It is something that The announcement comes as Israel plans to retaliate against Iran following a missile attack two weeks ago.
South Africa was one of a group of nine countries that drafted a letter to Mr. Guterres, in which it declared Mr. Guterres persona non grata and expressed collective respect for his leadership. We regret the unusual measures taken.
“In our view, these actions undermine the United Nations' ability to carry out its mandate, including mediating conflicts and providing humanitarian assistance,” the letter, dated October 10, said.
The document was written by Chile's Foreign Minister Paula Narváez on behalf of herself and a group of eight other countries called the Core Group, including Brazil, Indonesia, Spain, South Africa, Uganda and Mexico. .
Narváez said 104 countries had signed the agreement, in addition to the African Union, reflecting “the broad and collective support of the entire international community.”
“We reaffirm our full support and confidence in your work as Secretary-General,” the text continued.
“We, the signatories, are confident in your commitment to peace and security and to consistency with international law, including promoting respect for international humanitarian law and relevant United Nations resolutions on the situation in the Middle East.”
The letter expressed concern and condemnation of Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz's October 2 statement that Mr. Guterres would be barred from entering the country for failing to condemn in strong enough terms the attacks against Israel.
The day before, in response to Iran's missile attack on Israel, Katz said, “Those who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, will be condemned to do so on Israeli soil.'' I have no right to step on it.”
In a letter to Mr. Guterres last week, the countries said this stance risks further delaying a ceasefire and the establishment of a credible path to a two-state solution that would allow Israelis and Palestinians to coexist peacefully in accordance with UN resolutions. He said there is.
“At times of heightened tensions, the Secretary-General's role is essential in promoting dialogue and understanding between conflicting parties.
“The Secretary-General plays an important role in promoting the purposes of the United Nations as outlined in the Charter, including the maintenance of international peace and security and the development of friendly relations between States.”
The letter expressed support for Mr. Guterres' peace and security efforts and said he was working in accordance with international law, including promoting respect for international humanitarian law and relevant United Nations resolutions on the situation in the Middle East.
“The Secretary-General's efforts reflect our shared desire for an end to violence and meaningful dialogue in pursuit of lasting peace in the Middle East.
“As members of the United Nations, we call on you to respect the leadership of the United Nations and its mission.
“We call on all parties to avoid actions that could undermine the United Nations' important role in conflict resolution, and instead support efforts that contribute to a peaceful and durable solution to the Middle East crisis. .”
The letter was signed by many European countries, including Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, the Netherlands and Switzerland, but not by Germany or the UK. Nor has the United States signed it. Russia and China are also signatories.