Ramaphosa: Truce needed between Israel, Hamas following Iran attack
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the South African government warned that unless there is a truce between Israel and Palestine the situation in the Middle East would soon escalate.
His comments come after Iran fired over 300 drones and missiles into Israel on Saturday.
Tehran had warned it would retaliate after an attack on its consulate in Syria two weeks ago killed 13 people, including senior commanders.
Iran has blamed the raid on Israel. While on the ANC campaign trail in Johannesburg yesterday, Ramaphosa said the strikes by Iran were unhelpful - and has called on both parties to refrain from escalating the violence. The president says the conflict could easily expand beyond the borders of the Middle East.
"We know where the origins of the conflict are. We therefore call on all parties to desist from escalating this conflict. It is a very dangerous conflict. The world doesn't need a conflict that can escalate to these levels. South Africa has warned about this and we are once again saying that all actors desist from escalating this type of violence. It should not happen and we should not lose lives."
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