Hamas’ latest rejection of a ceasefire agreement starkly illuminates the organisation’s true nature: a champion of terror and death against Jews, with no interest in peace.
In an official statement on Sunday, Hamas rebuffed the terms outlined for a hostage-release ceasefire, which were meticulously discussed in Doha last week. A primary point of contention is Hamas’ demand for the complete withdrawal of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) from the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land along the Egypt-Gaza border. Such a withdrawal would enable Hamas to rearm itself, facilitating its oft-stated goal of destroying Israel and replicating the horrors of October 7th.
We must not forget the scale of that atrocity: more than 1,200 innocent Israelis were brutally slaughtered, and 115 hostages remain captive in Gaza today, over 10 months after the attack. The path to ending the war in Gaza is clear and immediate: return the hostages and Hamas – a globally recognised terrorist organisation – must surrender.
Yet, the South African government continues its public support of Hamas, even as the terrorist organisation attempted to carry out a suicide bombing against civilians in Tel Aviv on Sunday. This unwavering backing of a group that actively targets innocent lives is both alarming and morally indefensible. In a recent, deeply troubling move, our government expressed “heartfelt sympathies” to Hamas following the death of Ismail Haniyeh, a man with the blood of thousands of innocent Israelis on his hands. This follows a pattern of misguided support, exemplified by former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor’s expression of sympathy and solidarity with Haniyeh in 2023, mere days after the October attack.
If our government truly prioritised peace and justice in the Middle East – as they claim – they would raise their voices in support of a ceasefire and urge Hamas to accept the reasonable terms proposed last week. Instead they continue to pander to those who wish the Jewish state harm, and carry out a campaign of delegitimation against Israel that only divides South Africans against each other.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, currently visiting Israel and Egypt, has described this moment as “probably the best, maybe the last opportunity” to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Yet, our country continues to support an unyielding and fanatical organisation whose real interest lies not in peace, but in the killing of Jews.
Our government ought to use its influence to encourage Hamas to surrender and return the hostages. The world is watching.
