Ramaphosa Criticizes Israel for Blocking Food Supplies to Gaza

Cape Town

Alpha Ramushwana

18 October 2025 | 2:41

Although a ceasefire has since been reached, Ramaphosa said it was wrong for Israel to use food as a tool in its conflict with Hamas.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticised Israel for blocking food supplies to Gaza during the recently halted conflict.

Speaking at the Social Justice Summit in Cape Town on Friday, which focused on food security, Ramaphosa said Israel’s decision to restrict humanitarian aid and food access to Palestine during its war with Hamas was unacceptable.

Although a ceasefire has since been reached, Ramaphosa said it was wrong for Israel to use food as a tool in its conflict with Hamas.

"Never again should food be used as a weapon against those whom we may not like. It should never happen on our continent or anywhere in the world. Food is a universal right. It is therefore important for us to embrace the principle of food being a human right and a human right that should never be diluted and irrevocable."