South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor held a telephone conversation with Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh, in which she expressed condolences to those affected by the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict and discussed ways of transferring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the ministry said in a statement.
"During the call, and In line with the Government’s position, Minister Pandor reiterated South Africa’s solidarity and support for the people of Palestine and expressed sadness and regret for the loss of innocent lives both Palestinians and Israelis," said a statement released by the South African Foreign Ministry.
Pandor and Haniyeh discussed ways to transfer humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and "other parts of the Palestinian territories."
On the same day, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also held a telephone conversation with the leader of the Hamas Political Bureau on Tuesday, expressing his support for Palestine.
Earlier, South Africa's Foreign Ministry said South Africa called for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, ready to share its experience in mediation. The head of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa also called for the immediate opening of humanitarian corridors in the area of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
On the morning of October 7, Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement. The organization's fighters then infiltrated the border areas in southern Israel. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Within days of the attack, the Israeli military took control of all settlements near the border with Gaza and began air strikes on objects, including civilian, in the territory of the Strip. Additionally, Israel announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip; the supply of water, food, electricity, medicines and fuel was suspended.
The number of casualties in the Gaza Strip exceeded 2,000 people, and the death toll residents of Israel has reached 1,000, with several thousand Israelis and Palestinians injured. More than 150 Israelis are in the captivity of Hamas.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the sides to stop the fighting. According to the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the settlement of the Middle East crisis is possible only on the basis of the "two-state" formula approved by the UN Security Council, which provides for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict related to the territorial interests of the parties has been a source of tension and hostilities in the region for many decades. By the decision of the UN with the active role of the USSR in 1947, the creation of two states – Israel and Palestine – was determined, but only the Israeli state was created. Israel, while declaring agreement with the two-state principle, has not evacuated the occupied Palestinian territories.