APA-Gaborone (Botswana) The Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Wednesday called for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, warning that the continuing clashes between the two countries are worsening an already worrying humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.
SADC chairperson and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço called for restraint by both Israel and Palestine to prevent further loss of life.
“SADC condemns all acts of violence and calls for all parties to exercise restraint, as an escalation of this conflict will adversely impact and negate the international community’s efforts for sustainable peace and security in the Middle East,” Lourenço said.
He added: “SADC further expresses deep concerns over the loss of hundreds of innocent civilian lives on both sides and the destruction of properties.”
He bemoaned what he termed the “damaging effects” of the conflict, saying these would “undoubtedly increase the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), especially the vulnerable groups of women, children, and the elderly.”
“SADC calls upon the international community to support the nationals of Israel and Palestine with the required humanitarian assistance, especially for the victims of the IDPs in the refugee or displacement centres.”
He called on “relevant stakeholders and the international community” to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table “towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in line with the previously adopted UN resolutions recognising the existence of the two states.”
Thousands of people have been killed on both sides of the border following days of shelling involving the Israeli military and Hamas militants.
The Israeli army has massed troops at near the border with Gaza, including 300,000 reservists.
JN/APA