Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa warned that the current conflict between Israel and Palestine would escalate if it were not handled properly.
Ramaphosa was speaking to journalists on Sunday at the African National Congress’s (ANC) election campaign in Orange Farm where he said his worst fears over the conflict in the Middle East were confirmed.
“We did warn at a very early stage that unless the war between Israel and Palestine in Gaza is handled with care, and with great wisdom to ensure that there is a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance, the war will soon escalate beyond the borders of Israel, and it would engulf the countries in the Middle East.” Ramaphosa said
“We should not be having a regional conflict when we know what the origins of this conflict are, and we therefore call upon all parties to desist from escalating this conflict. It is a very dangerous conflict that could soon escalate way beyond even the borders of the Middle East.” he added.
“As South Africa, we have warned about this, and we are once again saying, let all actors desist from escalating this kind of violence. It should not happen and we should not lose lives unnecessarily” he concluded.
South Africa warned early on that unless there is a ceasefire on the conflict between Israel and Palestine, the situation would soon escalate. We call upon all parties to desist from further escalating this conflict. pic.twitter.com/KqspM8YSwI
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 14, 2024
According to SABC News, Ramaphosa’s comments comes after Iran launched 300 missiles in a retaliation attack against Israel. Tehran (Iran’s capital) warned that if Israel retaliates more, it should brace itself for an even more forceful response.
Meanwhile, the International Relations department said government is concerned at developments in the Middle East following the retaliatory action by Iran, The Citizen reported.
As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres has stated, there is a “very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. In this context, South Africa emphasises that all parties must exercise the utmost restraint and avoid any act that would escalate tensions in a particularly fragile region.”
The Department of International Relations (DIRCO) said reminded South Africans of the war and the consequences for the people of Palestine.
“An immediate ceasefire and urgent humanitarian access are required. As long as there is impunity for unlawful acts, war and injustice will continue,” DIRCO said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
