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Two delegations appointed by President Jacob Zuma departed for the Middle East on Friday.
The department of international relations says they left for Israel and Palestine to convey messages from Zuma to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Department spokesperson, Clayson Monyela says they will make a special appeal for an immediate ceasefire and call for calm and restraint by all parties to the conflict.
He says one of the teams will be led by former public service minister, Zola Skweyiya and the other by former deputy foreign affairs minister Aziz Pahad.
Monyela says since the unrest in the Middle East began, South Africa has expressed concern at the escalating number of casualties.
Saturday marks the 19th day of the deadliest violence in the area in five years.
