The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) expressed grave concern over the recent escalation of 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,” said a statement issued on Saturday.
Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood saying the surprise attack on Israel was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.
In turn, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
At least 750 Israelis have been missing since fighting broke out on Saturday morning, local media reported early Sunday.
At least 256 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 2,000 others injured in the attacks, according to medical sources in Gaza, while the Israeli death toll climbed to 600.
More than 3,000 rockets have been launched by Hamas toward Israel since Saturday morning, according to the Israeli army.
Several UN resolutions have called for a two-state solution and a just and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine, which South Africa said is urgently needed.
According to the government, the international community is working together to ensure a lasting, durable peace that leads to the establishment of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state that exists in peace alongside Israel within the international borders of 1967, and with its capital in East Jerusalem.
