Pretoria: The South African government has expressed serious concern regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s order for immediate ‘powerful strikes’ on Gaza, citing Hamas’s violation of the truce deal.

According to South African Government News Agency, the air strikes have already killed over 100 Palestinians on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

‘It is disheartening to note that these developments happened after Israel recently claimed that it had resumed enforcing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire after conducting dozens of deadly strikes, killing Palestinians, since the Gaza Peace Plan came into effect on 10 October 2025,’ the department’s statement read.

The Gaza Peace Plan had brought hope that the ceasefire agreement would hold, that adequate humanitarian assistance would be allowed into Gaza, and that Israel’s military offensive would be halted.

Government, through the department, has since called on Israel to adhere to the agreement it signed and to ensure a peaceful resolution to the devastating war in the besieged Gaza Strip.

‘South Africa is further concerned that Israel’s actions come days after the International Court of Justice issued a legal opinion,’ said DIRCO. The legal opinion confirmed, among other things, that Israel, as the Occupying Power, is required to act in accordance with the law of occupation, specifically the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The non-binding opinion issued by the United Nations court last week also stated that any actions taken to protect its security interests must be conducted in good faith and should align with the need to safeguard the rights and promote the best interests of the occupied population.

‘South Africa reiterates its call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and calls for full adherence to the ceasefire deal by Israel, as it is vital for preserving the prospects for lasting peace and ensuring regional security.’