The South African president called on the global community to press Israel to drop its demand that Gaza’s residents abandon their homes. He emphasized the need to stabilize the situation in Palestine and urged action through the United Nations and other international bodies.
In a post on X, the president urged the international community to work toward restoring peace in Palestine and to persuade Israel to halt measures that would force Gazans from their houses. He warned that such tactics could amount to genocide, highlighting that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians had already been displaced and calling the development extremely dangerous and tragic for the Palestinian people.
He also advocated for the creation of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to deliver essential aid such as food and water to civilians in the region.
On October 7, a large-scale assault began when Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel and announced the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Militants crossed into Israeli territory, capturing equipment and taking hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war.
Israel described its military operation as Iron Swords, with the aim of dismantling Hamas. The Israeli Air Force conducted extensive strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli National Security Council decided to impede water, food, electricity, and fuel deliveries to the Gaza Strip. On October 13, Israel informed the United Nations that up to 1.1 million Palestinians should relocate to southern Gaza within 24 hours ahead of a potential ground operation.
There have been longstanding accusations from Israel about the threat posed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, alongside concerns about sustaining life for civilians amid ongoing hostilities. The situation has drawn widespread international attention, with policymakers weighing immediate humanitarian needs against security objectives in a densely populated region.
Experts note that humanitarian access, civilian protection, and the preservation of essential services are central to any ceasefire discussions. In regions facing similar crises, international partners often focus on facilitating aid corridors, monitoring the impact of evacuations, and maintaining channels for humanitarian coordination to prevent further casualties.
Analysts stress the importance of clear, fact-based reporting from all sides to help international audiences understand the evolving dynamics. The goal remains to reduce civilian suffering while supporting legitimate security interests and regional stability in the broader Middle East.