Southern African countries condemn acts of violence in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Sudan Events – Sumaya Sayed
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has condemned acts of violence in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The regional bloc called for all parties to exercise restraint, saying “an escalation of this conflict will adversely impact and negate the international community’s efforts for sustainable peace and security in the Middle East,” according to a statement released by the SADC on Tuesday.
The SADC is an inter-government organization comprising 16 countries in southern Africa. Angola took over the rotating presidency in August for the 2023-2024 term.
The SADC expressed its deep concerns about the loss of innocent civilian lives and property destruction on both sides. It called for the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to Israel and Palestine, urging all relevant stakeholders and the international community to engage the parties in negotiating a peaceful resolution, “in line with the previously adopted UN resolutions recognizing the existence of the two states.”
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians escalated drastically after Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, fired thousands of rockets into Israel in a big surprise attack. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and punitive measures.
