S Africa condemns Haniyeh’s assassination, warns of Middle East turmoil
South Africa’s government condemned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on Thursday, warning that the killing could further destabilize the Middle East. The attack, which occurred in Tehran, is widely believed to have been carried out by Israel, although the Israeli government has not officially commented. South Africa, a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, has likened the plight of Palestinians to that of South Africa’s Black population during apartheid—a comparison that Israel rejects. In a statement, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation expressed concern that Haniyeh’s assassination and ongoing attacks on civilians in Gaza would exacerbate regional tensions. The government extended condolences to Haniyeh’s family and called for an investigation into his death. Haniyeh was a key figure in Hamas’s international diplomacy and had been involved in indirect negotiations aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. Following the onset of Israel’s air and ground offensive in Gaza, South Africa’s then-Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor had contacted Haniyeh to discuss humanitarian aid for the Palestinian enclave. South Africa has long supported Palestinian statehood and previously brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide over its actions in Gaza—a claim Israel denies. While South Africa’s stance has strained relations with some Western allies, the country insists that its support for Palestinians does not equate to support for Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by many Western countries and is committed to Israel’s destruction. New Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola declared that Haniyeh’s killing violated international law and undermined efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East. He emphasized the need for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
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