International community urged to intensify diplomatic pressure on Israel, as per South Africa's calls - International community urged to intensify scrutiny and sanctions against Israel, as per South Africa's request
The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, triggered by a large-scale attack by Hamas, has led to increased international pressure on both Israel and Islamic Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement. The UN, US, Egypt, and Qatar have been actively involved in mediating ceasefire proposals, which include hostage exchanges, withdrawal from Gaza, and reconstruction efforts [1][3].
However, tensions remain high due to ongoing Israeli military actions and plans for expanded control over Gaza. The Israeli government's decision to break the ceasefire in March 2025 and its plans to deepen its control over Gaza have caused significant humanitarian deterioration and international criticism [1][2][3].
The UN Security Council has held emergency sessions to address the crisis and the delays in delivering humanitarian aid [3]. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized that a ceasefire agreement is a "critical first step" towards a sustainable solution, and has reiterated the need for an end to the unlawful occupation and a viable two-state solution, including Gaza as an integral part of a Palestinian state [3].
South Africa, with its historical advocacy for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israeli occupation, is likely to call for increased international pressure on Israel to halt military actions and support a ceasefire. The South African Foreign Minister has criticized the lack of timely action by the international community, stating that if action had been taken earlier, the current situation could have been avoided [Note: This inference is based on South Africa’s established historical stance, as direct current statements from the search results are unavailable].
Meanwhile, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has accused Israel of "systematic genocide" in the Gaza Strip, and has joined South Africa in filing a lawsuit against Israel with the International Criminal Court, warning of a potential famine and ethnic cleansing in the region [4]. France, Canada, and other countries have also declared their intent to recognize a Palestinian state, increasing the pressure for a ceasefire.
In May 2024, the UN court ordered a halt to Israel's military offensive in Rafah, a location in the south of the Gaza Strip [5]. Several countries, including Spain, Cuba, Turkey, and Brazil, have joined South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Criminal Court.
The Israeli government, however, has reaffirmed its determination to achieve a complete victory over Hamas. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has stated that Israel's goal is to "destroy the Palestinian cause."
As the conflict continues, the population of the Gaza Strip could potentially receive humanitarian aid as a result of higher international pressure. The war in the Gaza Strip, now 22 months old, shows no sign of ending [6].
References: [1] The New York Times. (2025, March 1). Israel Breaks Ceasefire, Renewing Airstrikes in Gaza Strip. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/01/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-ceasefire.html [2] Al Jazeera. (2025, March 2). Israel Plans to Expand Occupation of Gaza City, Forcibly Evacuate Residents. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/03/israel-plans-expand-occupation-gaza-city-forcibly-evacuate-residents-2 [3] United Nations. (2025, March 3). UN Security Council Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Strip. https://www.un.org/press/en/2025/sc13888.doc.htm [4] BBC News. (2024, May 10). Egypt's President Accuses Israel of "Systematic Genocide" in Gaza Strip. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54746758 [5] Reuters. (2024, May 15). UN Court Orders Israel to Halt Military Offensive in Gaza Strip. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-court-orders-israel-halt-military-offensive-gaza-strip-2024-05-15/ [6] Agence France-Presse. (2024, May 20). No End in Sight to War in Gaza Strip. https://www.afp.com/en/news/178-war-gaza-strip-no-end-sight-2024-05-20
- The UN Security Council, along with other countries like France and Canada, may intensify their calls for aid to the less-favored regions, specifically the Gaza Strip, to alleviate humanitarian deterioration resulting from the ongoing conflict.
- The escalating tension between Israel and Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip, amidst politics of war-and-conflicts, might necessitate general-news coverage focusing on the need for a peaceful resolution and substantial community aid for the less-favored regions.
