Cabinet welcomes UNHRC resolution on Israel

Cabinet has described a resolution taken by the United Nations Human Rights Council calling for Israel to be held accountable for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza as 'historic'. The council also voted on other resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and demanding that Israel 'immediately lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip and all other forms of collective punishment' on the people of Gaza. Conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated since Hamas launched an attack on that country in October last year which killed at least 1200 people. Some 32 000 people have died in Palestine as a result of Israel's ongoing retaliation. 'Cabinet welcomes the UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for Israel to be held accountable for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. The resolution further called upon all States to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel. 'The adoption of this resolution is historic as it is the very first time that the Human Rights Council has taken action on the unprecedented human tragedy taking place in Gaza, where at least 32 975 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 14 500 children, since Israel launched its onslaught over 180 days ago,' Cabinet said in a statement on Monday. Source: South African Government News Agency