Sa Welcomes Israel-hamas Ceasefire, Urges Path To 'just Peace'

The South African Government has welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, marking an end to 15 months of intense violence in Gaza.

The ceasefire follows a deadly period during which Israel's actions in Gaza were described as genocidal by the International Court of Justice ICJ.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation DIRCO emphasised the importance of the agreement as a critical step toward addressing the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians.

The government expressed hope that the ceasefire would pave the way for a lasting and equitable peace that upholds the human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis.

South Africa calls for the implementation of a just and lasting peace that ensures the human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis are protected and promoted. 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 ICJ has deemed to be plausibly genocidal, the department said.