By Caleb Chikwawawa
The Zimbabwean government has called on a cessation of deadly clashes between Israel and the Hamas in what has seen the killing of over 1 000 people since Saturday.
The conflict intensified early this month when Hamas, the militant Islamic group that has controlled Gaza since 2006, fired rockets into Israel and stormed Southern Israeli cities, killing about 900 people.
Victims of the massacres included both civilians and soldiers.
This move by Hamas militants invited an equally deadly retaliation by Israel.
Through the foreign affairs ministry, Zimbabwe said expressed sympathies with victims of the massacres while urging respect for territorial autonomy.
“The Government of The Republic of Zimbabwe is closely following the developments in the Middle East and is deeply concerned at the ongoing fighting between Hamas and the Israeli army which has left more than 1 000 people dead while several others have been displaced or injured.
“Equally disturbing is the indiscriminate targeting of civilians especially women and children and the disproportionate use of force.
“The government of Zimbabwe urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint and allow humanitarian workers access to the injured and displaced.
“We convey our deepest condolences to all those who lost their loved ones and wish the injured speedy recovery.
“These tragic developments, once again highlight the urgent need for the revival of the political process aimed at finding a durable and just solution which respects the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people as envisaged under the United Nations resolution.”
A day after the October 7 attack, the Israeli cabinet formally declared war against Hamas.
A directive by the Minister of Defence to the Israeli Defence forces (IDF) urged the carrying out of a complete siege of Gaza.
