'Only solution is a permanent ceasefire,' says Lamola on Israel-Hamas war

CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has once again called for the immediate release of all hostages taken during the Hamas-Israel conflict.

Monday marks one year since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of ata least 1,200 people.

READ: Sounds of Gaza war haunt Israel's October 7 commemorations

In retaliation, the Israeli Defense Force has killed at least 41,000 people in Palestine, most of whom are civilians.

On Monday, Lamola reflected on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East during a meeting with the United Nations secretary-general Amina Mohammed in Pretoria.

In the past year, the South African government has consistently voiced its concerns about the ongoing conflict, where numerous hostages have been held captive for months.

Government has also taken Israel to the International Court of Justice, seeking to have Israel declared a genocidal state due to the deaths of thousands of Palestinian people.

“And we reiterate that the only solution to this raging conflict is a permanent ceasefire, which leads to the recognition of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital, the allowance of humanitarian aid in the area,” said Lamola.

The conflict in the Middle East has now escalated to Iran and Lebanon.