South Africa has strongly condemned the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, expressing deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region. In a statement, the country's foreign ministry offered condolences to Haniyeh's family and the Palestinian people and voiced alarm about the continuous targeting of civilians in Gaza.
"The Government expresses its heartfelt condolences to the Haniyeh family as well as to the leadership and people of Palestine. South Africa is concerned that the assassination of Dr. Haniyeh and the continuous targeting of civilians in Gaza will further spiral the already tense situation in the entire region," the ministry said.
Stressing the need for a thorough investigation, the ministry called on "all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid any acts that would escalate tensions in the particularly fragile region."
"Such acts of extrajudicial killings violate international law and the principles of human rights, undermining global efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East. No country is above the law, and all nations must respect international law, particularly the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," said Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola.
South African diplomacy also noted that "the international community must act immediately to bring to an end the genocide in Gaza, end impunity, end the aggression meted against Palestinians, and end the illegal occupation by Israel."