Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected claims of genocide against Gaza, following South Africa’s recent filing of a case at the United Nations International Court of Justice.
During a Cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu vehemently labeled the accusations as “false,” countering that it is Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, that seeks to perpetrate genocide.
Netanyahu’s response came in the wake of South Africa’s formal case, accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli Prime Minister argued that the military actions taken by Israel are undertaken with a strong moral stance, emphasizing that every effort is made to avoid harm to civilians during the offensive against Hamas.
The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with more than 21,500 Palestinians, including many women and children, reported dead since October, according to the Gaza Health Ministry controlled by Hamas.
This alarming death toll has sparked international concern and heightened calls for Israel to exercise greater caution in protecting civilian lives.
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Despite the Biden administration’s initial strong support for Israel following the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, there has been a noticeable shift in tone.
US officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Defense Secretary Llyod Austin, and Gen. CQ Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Israel to encourage a transition to a “lower-intensity” phase of the conflict.
“We also have some great thoughts about how to transition from high-intensity operations to lower-intensity and more surgical operations,” Austin stated earlier this month during a visit to Tel Aviv.
As tensions rise and the international community closely monitors the situation, Netanyahu’s rejection of genocide accusations and defense of Israel’s military actions further deepens the diplomatic strain with South Africa and other nations critical of the ongoing conflict.
