Summary of the war between Israel and Hamas on December 31, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel on December 31. Abeer Sultan/Pool/AP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel, on December 31. Abir Sultan/Pool/AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected South African claims that Israel is committing genocide in its war against Hamas.

Netanyahu's statements came after South Africa on Friday submitted a request to the International Court of Justice to begin proceedings on allegations of genocide.

“I would like to say a few words about South Africa’s false accusation that Israel is ‘committing genocide’. No, South Africa, it is not us who have come to commit genocide, it is Hamas. They would kill us all if they could.” He added that the IDF acts in the “most ethical manner” and “does its best to avoid harming civilians.”

He went on to accuse South Africa of raising the issue for show only, and listed other conflicts in which he said the country had taken no steps to intervene.

He said, “And I ask: Where were you, South Africa – and the rest of those who slander us – where were you when millions of people were killed and displaced from their homes in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere? You were not there.” .

Some background: Israeli air strikes and ground invasion of Gaza, in response to the deadly terrorist attacks and kidnappings carried out by Hamas on October 7, caused widespread destruction in the densely populated coastal enclave, causing protests by aid groups and increasing pressure from On the side of the Palestinians. The international community. Community.

US President Joe Biden said earlier this month that Israel was carrying out “indiscriminate bombing” in Gaza. US intelligence estimates that nearly half of the air-to-ground munitions used by Israel in Gaza were unguided, also known as “dumb bombs.” Unguided munitions are usually less accurate and may pose a greater threat to civilians.

Supporters of the Israeli campaign say these types of heavy munitions act as bunker busters, helping to destroy Hamas' underground tunnel infrastructure. However, experts say Western militaries usually use these bombs sparingly. International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate bombing.

Nearly 21,700 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the Ministry of Health in the Hamas-controlled enclave. CNN cannot independently verify the ministry's numbers.

Pierre Millehan, Bethlehem Velicki and Tamar Michaelis contributed reporting to this publication.