APA-Pretoria (South Africa) South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Naledi Pandor spoke to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on the phone on Tuesday and offered to send humanitarian support to the Palestinian enclave of Gaza which is under siege from Israeli troops.
A statement issued by the ministry on Tuesday said Pandor and the Hamas leader “discussed how to get the necessary humanitarian aid from South Africa to Gaza and other parts of the Palestinian territories.”
During the call, and in line with the South African government’s position, the minister reiterated her country’s solidarity and support for the people of Palestine – and expressed sadness and regret for the loss of innocent lives, both Palestinians and Israelis, the statement said.
The ministry dismissed reports that South Africa had offered Hamas support for the “Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood” – Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 – saying the claims were meant to “impugn” the South African government.
Pandor’s call with the Hamas leader was in line with South Africa’s readiness to engage all stakeholders in the Israel-Palestine conflict as part of facilitating dialogue to end the ongoing conflict, according to the statement.
“South Africa, therefore, calls on all sides to seize the opportunity for peace as opposed to violence, and for the international community to actively advocate for the implementation of its own international resolutions and establish a credible peace process,” it said.
Over 3,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air raids on Gaza, while Israelis killed in the Hamas’s attack and military operation stood at about 1,400 – including 286 soldiers, reports show.
NM/jn/APA