Two South Africans killed in Israel-Palestine conflict

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) confirmed that two South Africans had been killed in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

TWO SOUTH AFRICANS KILLED IN ISREAL-PALESTINE CONFLICT

It is believed one South African is still missing.

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In the early hours of Saturday morning, the militant wing of Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza.

IT IS BELIEVED ONE SOUTH AFRICAN IS STILL MISSING

The conflict has since descended into a full-blown war, with Israel unleashing a barrage of rockets on Gaza in response.

Thousands have been killed so far.

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The area’s water, food, electricity, and fuel supply have been cut off.

THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN KILLED SO FAR

“The Department of International Relations and Cooperation can confirm that we have been notified that two South African nationals have died in this ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. The verification process is currently underway because one of the individuals is reported to have an Israeli ID number, so we need to determine whether there is dual citizenship or what the picture is.”

Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela

Monyela expressed condolences to the individuals’ loved ones.

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‘WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT TWO SOUTH AFRICANS NATIONAL HAVE DIED.’

“Our missions in Ramallah and Tel Aviv are coordinating efforts and also rendering consular assistance and services to the families of our nationals.”

The Israel’s Embassy in South Africa released a list of killed and missing international citizens earlier on Thursday.

THE ISREAL’S EMBASSY IN SA RELEASED THE LIST OF THOSE KILLED

Meanwhile, South Africa expressed grave concern over the recent devastating escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“The new conflagration has arisen from the continued illegal occupation of Palestine land, continued settlement expansion, desecration of the Al Aqsa Mosque and Christian holy sites, and ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people. The region is in desperate need of a credible peace process that delivers on the calls of a plethora of previous UN resolutions for a two-state solution and a just and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine.”

SOUTH AFRICA CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF VIOLENCE

DIRCO furthermore said South Africa is working together with the international community and seeks to ensure a lasting and durable peace that produces a viable, contiguous Palestinian State, existing side-by-side in peace with Israel, within 1967 internationally recognised borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“Violence, killings, imprisonment, forced removals, illegal settlements, and the continued siege of Gaza are not conducive to resolving the conflict.

“Urgent attention must be given to resolving the final status issues such as borders, the status of Jerusalem, the release of political prisoners, and the right of return.

“South Africa, therefore, calls on all sides to seize the opportunity for peace as opposed to violence and for the international community to actively rise on the side of its own international resolutions and establish a credible peace process. South Africa stands ready to share its experience in mediation and conflict resolution as it has done on the continent and around the world.”

DIRCO

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