DIRCO clarifies Minister Pandor, Hamas leader’s call

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Tuesday confirmed that Minister Naledi Pandor followed up on a request to call the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, “to discuss getting humanitarian aid to Palestine.”

In a statement, the department reiterated that the Minister’s call was in line with the South African government position on Palestine.

“During the call, and in line with the government’s position, Minister Pandor reiterated South Africa’s solidarity and support for the people of Palestine and expressed sadness and regret for the loss of innocent lives, both Palestinians and Israelis.

“Minister Pandor and the Hamas leader discussed how to get the necessary humanitarian aid to Gaza and other parts of the Palestinian territories,” the statement read.

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However, according to the department, reports that Pandor also offered support for the ‘Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood’ are untrue and meant to “impugn” the Minister and the South African government.

“Minister Pandor’s call with the Hamas leader is in line with South Africa’s readiness to engage all interlocutors as part of facilitating dialogue to end the ongoing conflict. South Africa, therefore, calls on all sides to seize the opportunity for peace as opposed to violence, and for the international community to actively advocate for the implementation of its own international resolutions and establish a credible peace process,” the statement continued.

The situation in the Middle East escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7. Hamas regards the attack as a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

Israel has declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, delivering strikes on the area, and parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.

Meanwhile, DIRCO has stated that South Africa stands ready to share its experience in mediation and conflict resolution as it has done on the African continent and elsewhere around the world.

According to the latest reports, about 2 808 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air raids, while Israelis killed in Hamas’ attack and military operation stands at about 1 400, including 286 soldiers.