By Anadolu Staff
South Africa and Somalia have strongly condemned Israel’s latest attack on Iran, saying it threatens the security of the region.
“This attack is an unacceptable violation of Iran’s sovereignty,’’ the South African Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Saturday.
In addition to the genocide in Gaza, Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon and systematic annexation of the West Bank have led to a grave and worsening humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, the ministry added.
It also reiterated the call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, access to humanitarian assistance, and an end to Israel’s continued occupation.
“We call for an immediate end to this devastating war that has seen many killed and for urgent humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza,” Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said in a statement.
South Africa also strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli military ground operation in the North Gaza Governorate and the attack on the Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last functioning medical facility there.
“The detention of 44 medical staff and the systematic destruction of medical facilities in the Gaza Strip are a serious violation of international humanitarian law,” Lamola added.
South Africa called for the immediate implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735, which backed a three-phase plan, laid out by US President Joe Biden for a Gaza cease-fire.
Separately, the Somalian government on Saturday strongly condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
In a statement, Somalia called on the international community to take serious steps to preserve the security of the region and its people.
Flouting Resolution 2735, Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last October.
Nearly 43,000 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 100,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.
The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the territory’s entire population amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
At least four Iranian soldiers were killed Saturday when the Israeli army targeted Iranian military facilities in response to Iran's large-scale ballistic missile attack on Israel Oct. 1.
The US said Israel’s strikes must bring to an end direct exchanges of fire between the two sides, warning Tehran of “consequences” if it respond.
Iranian military officials had previously warned that any attack from Israel would be met with a “harsher response.”
Several countries have condemned Israel’s attack on Iran saying it could incite a large-scale conflict in the Middle East.