Government has expressed concern at the continued escalation of military action by Israel against Palestine and Lebanon and wants the international community to address what it described as a spiralling conflict.

International Relations and Cooperation Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said as long as there was impunity for unlawful acts, war and injustice would continue.

Phiri said government noted with “dismay” that UN secretary general António Guterres had been declared persona non grata by Israel.

South Africa wants the international community to uphold International Law, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law and the principles of the United Nations Charter to maintain international peace and security.

Phiri said the continued occupation of Palestine, which he said had denied the Palestinian people their enshrined rights of self-determination and statehood, remained a “prerequisite to restoring peace and security” in the region.

The South Africa government called for “utmost restraint” and urged countries to avoid any act that would escalate tensions in an already fragile region, as it is vulnerable groups who suffer the most under conflict.

“South Africa reiterates the concern expressed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, that he was alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation, and that neither the region nor the world can afford another war,” Phiri said.