Pretoria - The South African government has strongly condemned the ground invasion of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli Defence Force.
“South Africa is gravely concerned that the illegal ground invasion, which had been rejected by the international community, will continue the endless killing of innocent Palestinian civilians, especially the vulnerable groups – the elderly, women and children.
“The disproportionate killing by the Israeli forces has to date resulted in the death of more than 250 Palestinians, with almost 2 000 civilians injured. The senseless invasion will also see the further destruction of civilian property and infrastructure,” said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Friday.
It called for the Israeli Defence Force to immediately withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and bring to an end the violent and destructive incursions into Palestinian territories.
The department said the invasion of the Gaza Strip will stand in the way of rebuilding Palestinian institutions and infrastructure that has been destroyed thus far.
South Africa equally condemned the continuing firing of rockets by Hamas into Israel, which puts the lives of innocent civilians at risk.
“Both parties must end all forms of aggression towards one another. The South African government is opposed to any attempt to use the current situation to undermine the Unity Government in Palestine, whose advent was warmly welcomed by peace-loving people the world over,” said DIRCO.
On Wednesday, South Africa, through Israel’s Ambassador to South Africa, urged the Israeli government not to carry out the ground invasion, as it would constitute a violation of international law. – SAnews.gov.za
