African Govts Take Diplomatic Action Amid Gaza Crisis

The South African government has elected to recall its diplomats in Tel Aviv in what it says is an expression of concern at the collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza. Addressing a media briefing in Pretoria, Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the humanitarian corridors for the people of Palestine remain closed, with dire consequences for children, women and innocent civilians.

"The genocidal airstrikes by the government of Israel on the people of Palestine continue, with a rising death toll that includes women and children," Ntshavheni said.

The decision follows similar moves by the governments of Libya, Chad, Colombia, Chile, Jordan, Bahrain and Honduras.

Egypt's ambassador to Kenya has blamed the international community for failing to find a lastng solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Meanwhile, Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre refused to call Hamas a "terrorist organisation", describing them as a liberation movement instead, saying that the Somali government did not heed pressure to say anything to the contrary.