By Staff Reporter
South Africa has welcomed the brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon, which took effect from 4am on Wednesday.
The 14-month long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into a full-out war in September, with thousands of people evacuating their homes in Lebanon.
“This vital act of de-escalation underscores the supremacy of diplomacy and significantly mitigates the human suffering caused by indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure,” the International Relations Department said in a statement.
“South Africa calls on all parties to fully adhere to the ceasefire deal. It is hoped that a permanent cessation of hostilities will follow, which will end the conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border, which has indiscriminately killed thousands of Lebanese people, many of them women and children.”
South Africa has called on the international community to support the ceasefire agreement, which would lead to a sustainable solution based on UN Security Council resolution 1701.
The country reiterated it calls for ceasefire agreement in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 43,000 people.
“South Africa hopes that the ceasefire will de-escalate tensions in the region, and we reiterate that we stand in solidarity with the government and people of Lebanon and express our support for the implementation of the agreement,” the department said.
Israel has reserved he right to pick up arms again if Hezbollah violates the terms of the deal.
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