Updates

Currently, 132 abductees are still being held in the Gaza Strip (113 men, 19 women, two of whom are children, 11 foreigners), in addition to the four abductees held by Hamas prior to October 7. At least 28 of the abductees are no longer alive, and Hamas is holding their bodies. One more is still declared missing.

So far, 121 abductees have been released, of which 86 are Israelis and 24 foreigners. Eight murdered abductees have been located by IDF forces. Three abductees were mistakenly shot by IDF forces; their bodies were returned to Israel.

Over 1,200 people have been murdered in Israel so far, and more than 12,500 wounded have been evacuated to the hospitals.

·        Dedicated messages on SA’s petition against Israel at the ICJ

·       Press kit on Israel’s war against Ha​mas

·        Dedicated messages on the food situation in the Gaza Strip​ 

Foreign Minister Israel Katz is taking part (22/1) in the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting, during which he will call for the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza, and for the EU’s support for Israel's self-defense measures against Hamas. 

Messages​

Israel at War

• Israel is acting to overthrow Hamas rule, destroy its military capabilities, remove the threat from the Gaza Strip and return of all abductees.

• Hamas is still holding 136 abductees in violation of international law and in complete denial of their rights. The ground operation is essential also for the purpose of releasing the abductees.

• Israel’s war is solely against Hamas. The IDF takes numerous measures to avoid harming civilians, and focuses its activities to areas where there are Hamas governmental and/or military activities. 

• Israel is fighting an involuntary war, imposed on it by Hamas. It does not wish to occupy the Gaza Strip nor does it intend to control it - the ground operation is limited in time and is being implemented in accordance with the Rules of War. 

• Hamas is using the residents of the Gaza Strip as human shields. Hamas terrorists operate from within schools – including UNRWA institutions – and humanitarian areas and are making extensive use of hospitals for terrorist activity. 

• Israel is permitting the entrance of humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip including through the Kerem Shalom crossing to enable the increase in the scale of aid. So far, over 10,000 trucks carrying over 190,000 tons of aid entered Gaza. 

• Israel does not limit the scope of aid and facilitates the transfer of any amount of aid provided. The scope of incoming aid is limited only by the handling capabilities of the UN and other aid agencies within the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Hamas steals aid from the residents of Gaza for its operatives and their terror tunnels.

The Moral Stance Alongside Israel

·         The United Nations - led by the Secretary-General – is displaying severe transgression against its mandate regarding its reactions to the events of October 7 and the war that broke out in their wake. This is a moral failing of the UN, which   is providing a 'political umbrella' to a terror organization that is worse than ISIS.

·         South Africa has chosen to serve as the legal arm of the terrorist organization Hamas, and its actions constitutes actual criminal complicity of the South African government in Hamas actions in doing so.

·         Accusing Israel of committing a so-called "genocide", while presenting a distortion of the reality in Gaza since the October 7^th massacre, blatantly ignoring the actions of Hamas terrorists – the infiltration into Israel, the massacre, rape and abduction of Israeli citizens simply because they were Israelis, in an attempt commit genocide is unfounded and has neither factual nor legal basis and makes contemptible political use of the concept of genocide.

The Regional Aspect

·         Iran bears direct responsibility for the capabilities of Hamas and therefore also for the attack it carried out on October 7.

·         Hezbollah has been attacking Israel continuously since October 7. Hezbollah’s actions are contrary to Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701 and increase the chance of opening a northern front. The international community must act for an immediate and full implementation of resolution 1701.

·         Israel will not accept the reality of a threat to its citizens and will respond to any attack launched from Lebanon. Hezbollah will bear the sole responsibility to the consequences if it chooses to open one.

·         The increasing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which are carried out by the Houthis with Iranian backing and support, threaten international trade routes, and seriously harm global economy. As a global threat, it should be addressed through a global coalition.  

·         Iran’s actions, directly and through its proxies, pose a threat to world peace and stability. Iran must be isolated and held responsible for its destabilizing actions, and decisive action must be taken to prevent it from continuing to undermine regional stability and threatening world peace.​