South Africa hails Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – The South African government has welcomed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, saying it a “crucial first step” towards ending the Gaza carnage which has left at least 46,707 people dead over the past 15 months.
The breakthrough, which was secured in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, met all of the Palestinian group’s conditions, including the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of displaced people to their homes and a permanent end to the war.
Department of international Relations (Dirco) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the ceasefire must lay the basis for a just peace which should include the establishment of a contiguous, independent, and viable Palestinian state, adding that Palestinian sovereignty and territorial integrity must be upheld.
“It is imperative that no land is annexed in either Gaza or the West Bank following the ceasefire, and that illegal settlement expansion is halted,” Phiri said.
He noted that the ceasefire agreement is a crucial first step toward ending the severe humanitarian crisis faced by the 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which the International Court of Justice has deemed to be plausibly genocidal.
On 29 December 2023, South Africa submitted a historic application at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) urging the court to find Israel guilty of suspected genocide and order it to halt its invasion in Gaza.
Despite three orders being granted in South Africa’s favour last year, the fighting continued.
-0- PANA CU/MA 16Jan2025
