The South African government on Wednesday called on the international community to end its “indifference to the gross violations” against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and for the United Nations Security Council to take enforcement action to halt the “unfolding genocide”.

This after a massive blast hit the Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, and which killed over 500 people and injured over 1 000.

Israel has denied responsibility for the bombing and has stated that it was a failed rocket launch from the Palestinian side of the conflict.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) condemned the killing of civilians in Palestine and Israel, saying the targeting of a hospital, which is considered a safe haven under International Humanitarian Law, is a war crime.

“The bombing of the Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza is the most blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law. Doctors are operating without anaesthetics and do not have the medical equipment or supplies to treat the victims. The suffering of children and their parents are unspeakable and unfathomable in this day and age, and there must be consequences for these actions, otherwise the international structures established to maintain international peace and security have utterly failed,” said Dirco.

The al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, which was bombed on Tuesday night is one of 22 hospitals in northern Gaza which were ordered by the Israeli military to evacuate their patients and staff within 24 hours or be responsible for the consequences.

The Israeli evacuation order drew swift condemnation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other United Nations agencies.

The WHO said the 22 hospitals were treating more than 2 000 patients in northern Gaza, and the forced evacuation of patients and health workers would further worsen the current humanitarian and public health catastrophe and was tantamount to a death sentence.

Hundreds of civilians were sheltering in the hospital when it was bombed.

Dirco called for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate opening of a humanitarian corridor to allow in medicine, food and supplies.

South Africa also urged Israel to cease its “genocidal campaign” against the Palestinians and provide water and food for civilians, as well as electricity and fuel for the ambulances and hospitals.

“We call on the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Ahmad Khan to immediately signal his intent to investigate this and other war crimes, and the crime of genocide in this conflict, and to include in his investigation the liability of those aiding and abetting these crimes,” said Dirco.