Staff Reporter.
The South African government has condemned assassinations and recent bombings in Lebanon, where Israel began extended airstrikes this week, killing hundreds and displacing thousands of civilians..
In a statement on Saturday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) condemned the assassination of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and other leaders in the country.
The Israeli military said on Saturday it had killed Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on the group’s central headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut a day earlier.
“The government of the Republic of South Africa expresses its profound concern regarding the recent escalation of extrajudicial killings in the Middle East, most notably the tragic assassination of Hassan Nasrallah and other leaders in Lebanon.
This follows a series of widespread and indiscriminate attacks on communication and other devices used by civilians, particularly in Lebanon.
“These attacks have resulted in numerous fatalities, including those from vulnerable groups, and have left hundreds in critical condition and thousands injured.
“The scale of injuries caused by these indiscriminate explosions is deeply troubling and warrants strong condemnation from the international community. Such attacks on civilians constitute a grave violation of international human rights and humanitarian law,” reads the statement by Dirco.
In the statement, Pretoria said it stands in solidarity with the government of Lebanon “during this challenging time and express our support in the aftermath of these ongoing attacks”.
“These actions serve to exacerbate an already tense situation in the Middle East and appear to be aimed at undermining international peace efforts in the region.
“We call for the perpetrators of these premeditated crimes to be held accountable through an international, transparent investigation,” the statement further reads.
The South African government has not only condemned the attacks by Israel against Lebanon but has also called for “an immediate ceasefire and adherence to international law to prevent a major regional military conflagration, which would have devastating consequences for all countries involved”.
Threats of revenge from Iran
Friday’s attack on Hezbollah’s command centre and further airstrikes on Saturday have escalated the conflict between Israel and the heavily armed group, adding to concerns the region could be sucked into a broader war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday the killing of Hassan Nasrallah would be avenged and his path in fighting Israel would be continued by other militants.
“(Nasrallah) was not an individual. He was a path and a school of thought and the path will be continued,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a statement read on state television in which he announced five days of mourning in Iran.
“The blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged,” he said.
The Ayatollah has been taken to a secure location, Reuters reported.
AFP reported that Israel’s military said on Saturday that its killing of one its “greatest enemies”, Hassan Nasrallah, made the world safer, while vowing to go after other senior members of his Iran-backed group.
“Nasrallah was one of the greatest enemies of the State of Israel of all time… his elimination makes the world a safer place,” military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a televised briefing.
UN’s inaction condemned by Lamola
On Wednesday, addressing the UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate under the agenda item “Maintenance of International Peace and Security”, Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola asked why the Security Council was unable to effectively contribute to ending conflict where civilians are being murdered daily.
“The selective application of international law, the hypocrisy as well as the double standards displayed by some member states have resulted in the unfortunate situation of prolonged conflicts and suffering of civilians. By the action or inaction on the part of the Security Council, there is an impression that some people should warrant more protection than others and that lives in some parts of the world are worth more than others. The people of Sudan are left destitute by our inaction. The situation in Sudan does not enjoy the glare of international media or the attention of humanitarian relief agencies. To them, the United Nations system is for others, not their protection.
“The horrific events of the ongoing war on the people of Palestine that has now escalated into Lebanon have resulted in thousands of casualties. This utter disregard and violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law is clear. It’s becoming increasingly easier to fund wars instead of development,” said Lamola.
Lamola added that the Security Council needed to be transformed to reflect global realities for it to be effective and relevant.
He added that its “inability to act because of its current archaic structure is glaringly obvious”.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.