President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the announcement by the State of Qatar that a four-day humanitarian pause has been agreed in the conflict in Gaza.
In a statement, the President commended the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America on mediation efforts that will enable the release of Palestinian detainees and Israeli hostages.
The pause will also see the provision of relief aid to Gaza where an Israeli military incursion remains in place.
“As a member of the international community that stands for peace, justice, and the rule of international law in all parts of the world, South Africa welcomes the agreement reached. It is my hope that the achievement of this pause will strengthen efforts to achieve an outright end to the current conflict. This pause, which regrettably implies a possible resumption of conflict at some point, must be accompanied by tireless efforts to secure a durable political resolution of the decades-long challenge in the Middle East,” said Ramaphosa in a statement.
The deal, which was approved by the Israeli cabinet on Tuesday, is expected to take effect on Thursday. It will see the release of Israeli hostages seized by Hamas and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
According to media reports 50 hostages, including women and children, will be released, while 150 Palestinian prisoners will be released.
The deal comes a day after members of the National Assembly overwhelmingly voted for the closure of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, until Israel agrees to a ceasefire and United Nations (UN) facilitated negotiations.
Meanwhile, the UN has welcomed the deal adding that it will help it deliver much needed humanitarian and medical aid in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories.
