U.S. ‘not seeing acts of genocide’ in Gaza, State Department says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. State Department stated on Wednesday that it has not witnessed any acts in Gaza that would be classified as genocide. This announcement came after South Africa initiated genocide proceedings at the International Court of Justice over Israel’s military operation in the Palestinian enclave.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller addressed the allegation at a regular news briefing, stating, “Those are allegations that should not be made lightly… we are not seeing any acts that constitute genocide. That is a determination by the State Department.”
Miller’s comments came after South Africa requested that the World Court issue an urgent order declaring Israel in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention. Public hearings on South Africa’s request have been scheduled for Jan. 11 and 12.
In the meantime, Israel has vowed to defend itself against the charges, following its military operation in Gaza, which has resulted in a humanitarian disaster and the deaths of more than 22,000 Palestinians.
The international community anxiously awaits the upcoming hearings at the World Court and the resolution of this escalating conflict.
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