RAMALLAH, Wednesday, April 24, 2024 (WAFA) – The Republic of South Africa called on the international community to urgently lead a thorough and impartial investigation into the recent discovery of mass graves in different areas across Gaza Strip.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) reacted to the recent discovery of mass graves inside Nasser and Al-Shifa hospitals following the complete withdrawal of the occupation army.

“South Africa is appalled by the recent grim discovery of a mass grave containing the remains of 202 Palestinian civilians at Nasser Hospital in Gaza," the department said in a statement.

The civil defense said some of the bodies were of people killed during the hospital siege. Others were killed when Israeli forces raided the hospital.

Israel continues to disregard the rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and United Nations (UN) resolutions amid the unrelenting bombardment of Gaza, noting that the evidence related to the mass killings committed by Israel against civilians indicates war crimes and genocide.

“These grim findings call for immediate and comprehensive investigations to ensure justice and accountability,” the department added.

In this respect, South Africa calls on the international community to act to bring the perpetrators to justice and urges the court to open a comprehensive investigation into the ' mass graves' case.

The department also cited International Humanitarian Law, which prohibits attacks on civilians, underlining the need to protect human life during times of war.

Y.S