African Union chief slams Israel over Gaza war: ‘Attacks unprecedented in the history of mankind’

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Leaders at an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa condemn Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza and call for its immediate end.

Moussa Faki, the chair of the African Union Commission, says Israel’s offensive is the “most flagrant” violation of international humanitarian law, and accuses Israel of having “exterminated” Gaza’s inhabitants.

Faki spoke alongside Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who also addressed the summit.

“Rest assured we strongly condemn these attacks that are unprecedented in the history of mankind,” Faki says to applause from delegates. “We want to reassure you of our solidarity with the people of Palestine.”

Azali Assoumani, president of the Comoros and the outgoing chairperson of the African Union, praises the case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice while condemning “the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine under our nose.”

“The international community cannot close its eyes to the atrocities that are committed, that have not only created chaos in Palestine, but also have disastrous consequences in the rest of the world,” Assoumani says.

During last year’s AU summit, an Israeli delegate was unceremoniously removed from the plenary hall amid a row over the country’s observer status at the continental body.