South Africa summoned Israeli ambassador on Wednesday, expressing grave concern over the escalation of violence in the Gaza strip.

South Africa summoned Israeli ambassador on Wednesday, expressing grave concern over the escalation of violence in the Gaza strip.

Deputy Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo summoned Ambassador Arthur Lenk, calling on the Zionist entity to immediately cease its air strikes into the Gaza Strip, allow safe and free passage of civilians and make it possible for humanitarian organizations to work on alleviating the suffering of victims of the violence.

Deputy Minister Mfeketo told Ambassador Lenk that the South African Government strongly opposes any threat of ground invasion and urged Tel Aviv to refrain from making utterances that may worsen the situation.

The Deputy Minister also stressed that South Africa is opposed to any attempt to use the current situation to undermine the Unity Government in Palestine whose advent was warmly welcomed by peace-loving people the world over.

In this regard, the South African Government also urged the Zionist entity to engage in serious and genuine negotiations with the Palestinians to permanently resolve the ongoing impasse.

In addition, South Africa demanded that Israeli authorities lift all restrictions to the importation of building material and equipment into the Gaza Strip to enable destitute families and the Gaza Administration to re-build homes and infrastructure destroyed by the current and previous Israeli acts of aggression in Palestine.