Cabinet concerned at Israeli-Palestinian violence

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Pretoria – Cabinet has expressed great concern over the escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinian territories.

“Cabinet reiterates President Jacob Zuma’s call on the Israeli government to stop its ground and air offensive, which continues to cause loss of life and a devastating humanitarian crisis.

“Cabinet calls for an end to the firing of rockets on Israeli citizens by Hamas,” said Communications Minister Faith Muthambi on Thursday.

This as the Health Ministry, in Gaza, said in a press statement that Israel's 17-day large-scale offensives on the Gaza Strip has left 718 Palestinians dead and more than 4 500 others wounded.

A special session of United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted a resolution, on Wednesday, and decided to launch an inquiry into human rights violations from Israel's latest military offensive in the Gaza strip.

Briefing the media following Cabinet’s regular meeting, Minster Muthambi said Cabinet was opposed to the veiled attempts by the Israeli government to use its onslaught on Gaza to undermine the Unity Government in Palestine.

“There will never be a military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The only solution lies in serious and genuine negotiations involving all parties. South Africa joins the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, in calling for an immediate ceasefire by all sides, and a resumption of the flow of humanitarian aid to the suffering people of Gaza. The humanitarian situation is of great concern to Cabinet,” she explained.

Additionally, government appealed to Egyptian authorities to open their doors to the injured and affected people of Gaza. 

On Tuesday, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said that President Zuma will dispatch a team to Israel to convey government’s concerns over the inhumane killings through the ground invasion on the Gaza strip. – SAnews.gov.za