SA media organisations condemn ‘starvation' in Gaza
South African National Editors' Forum, the Campaign for Free Expression and the Campaign on Digital Ethics have spoken out against the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The World Health Organisation has said a mass-starvation event is unfolding in war-torn Gaza.
This is also affecting journalists, AFP reported.
South African organisations dedicated to protecting journalists and freedom of expression have called for unimpeded humanitarian access in Gaza, following reports of a starvation crisis, which is also affecting journalists covering the conflict.
In a joint statement, the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF), the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) and the Campaign on Digital Ethics (CODE) said they felt compelled to speak out about the situation in Gaza, 'not only because of our solidarity with journalists there, but because the survival of free expression itself is at stake'.
This follows reports of famine in the war-torn area, which has been under attack by Israel for nearly two years, triggered by the 7 October attacks by Hamas on Israel.
'In a rare and unprecedented appeal, Agence France-Presse (AFP), a respected international news agency, has issued an urgent warning that its remaining journalists in Gaza are too weak from starvation to work, and that without immediate intervention, they may die,' the organisations said in a statement.
Israel has, as a matter of policy, prohibited international media from freely entering Gaza since October 2023, so these local journalists are among the last reporters able to tell the world what is happening in Gaza.
'Journalists and their families - like so many other civilians - are being placed directly in harm's way, not as collateral damage but as part of a campaign of collective punishment,' they said.
The organisations condemned what they called grave violations of international law and fundamental human rights. They urged global support for the United Nations and other international mechanisms designed to secure accountability.
They also called on all governments to demand immediate protection for journalists and civilians and unimpeded humanitarian access.
'Free expression does not stop at borders. When those who bear witness are silenced, the world grows darker for us all. We stand in solidarity with those in Gaza, and we echo AFP's urgent plea: the world must act now.'
Mass starvation
In a press conference on Wednesday, World Health Organisation director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus claimed a mass-starvation event was unfolding in Gaza.
'The 2.1 million people trapped in the war zone that is Gaza are facing yet another killer on top of bombs and bullets, starvation,' Ghebreyesus said.
'We're now witnessing a deadly surge in malnutrition-related deaths. Since 17 July, severe acute malnutrition centres are full, without sufficient supplies for emergency feeding.
'In 2025, WHO has documented 21 deaths related to malnutrition of children under five years old. Rates of global acute malnutrition exceed 10% and over 20% of pregnant and breastfeeding women that have been screened are malnourished, often severely.'
Ghebreyesus said the starvation crisis was man-made, as aid was being blocked from the territory.
'The hunger crisis is being accelerated by the collapse of aid pipelines and resolutions on restrictions on access. 95% of households in Gaza face severe water shortages, with daily access far below the minimum needed for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.'
'The UN and humanitarian partners were unable to deliver any food to the Gaza Strip for nearly 80 consecutive days from early March to mid-May 2025 due to a complete blockade and humanitarian and commercial access.'
'Since then, food deliveries have resumed intermittently but remain far below what's needed for the survival of the population.'
WHO sketched a catastrophic picture where children cry themselves to sleep from hunger, and food distribution sites have turned into places of violence in Gaza.
'From the 27th of May to the 21st of July, health authorities report 1 0026 people have been killed in Gaza while trying to get food from these sites.'
AFP reported on Tuesday that the United Nations said Israeli forces were responsible for the deaths of Palestinians trying to get food.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government have said they are not the cause of the famine in the area.
'In Gaza, there is no famine caused by Israel. There is, however, a man-made shortage engineered by Hamas,' said Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Mencer reportedly said aid in food packages had been coming into Gaza.
Brazil joins SA in ICJ
Meanwhile, Brazil is finalising its submissions to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel's actions in Gaza, Reuters reported.
In 2023, South Africa approached the International Court of Justice for a declaration that Israel is in breach of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
Israel has strongly opposed the action, denying the allegations by South Africa.
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