The South African Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation condemned the killing of Hamas’s Political Bureau Chairman Dr. Ismail Haniyeh in an airstrike in Tehran on July 31, 2024. The ministry said in a written statement, “The South African government strongly condemns this attack targeting Dr. Ismail Haniyeh.”
The statement also expressed its condolences to the Haniyeh family and the Palestinian people, and said that South Africa was concerned that this assassination could increase tensions in the region. It was emphasized that South Africa called on all parties to refrain from actions that would escalate tensions in the region.
The statement, which highlighted the importance of Haniyeh’s negotiating team working to end the “war” in Gaza and achieve lasting peace, said: “South Africa stresses that the international community must take immediate action to stop the genocide in Gaza, end the attacks on Palestinians and end Israel’s illegal occupation.”
The statement also warned that Israel’s continued occupation would make a peaceful solution more difficult and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the region. South Africa said a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire was necessary and that the deliberate targeting of civilians was unacceptable.
