The South Africa government has expressed concern regarding the escalating cycle of violence directed at Palestinians, which Deputy President Paul Mashatile said poses significant challenges for lasting peace and the favourable two-State solution.

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza with the ostensive goal being to eliminate Hamas, in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 2023 in which about 1 200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 62 000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's health ministry.

Mashatile met with Palestine's Ambassador to South Africa Hanan Jarrar on Thursday, where they noted the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Mashatile and Jarrar said the meeting was aimed at strengthening and expanding the relationship between South Africa and Palestine.

Last month, Department of International Relations and Cooperation director-general Zane Dangor urged the government of Israel to immediately stop the forced displacement of civilians in Gaza, calling for an end to “institutional impunity”.

In December, the South African government brought a case before the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's conduct in the Gaza Strip, citing genocide.