Cyril Ramaphosa (X)
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his concerns that the current conflict in Gaza could spread far beyond the borders of the Middle East.
He was speaking to the media on Saturday after meeting with the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC.
Ramaphosa says the ANC has always pledged its solidarity with Palestine.
"We are deeply concerned about the atrocities that are unfolding in the Middle East and we have expressed our condolences to the people of Israel as we are passing our condolences to the people of Palestine.
"We have called for the Humanitarian corridors to be opened so that food, water and electricity can be made available to the people of Gaza.
"This conflict could actually go beyond the borders of Israel and Palestine and engulf the entire Middle East into a conflict that the world least deserves at this point in time.
Ramaphosa says the evacuation of South Africans is also being considered and the Government will keep a close eye on the developments in Gaza and will soon activate a response.
"Our Government agencies, International Relations Department, as well as our Intelligence Services and our Defence Intelligence, are monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis," he said.
