If Israel invades Gaza it would be the beginning of the end to finding a political solution in that country, South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said on Tuesday.
He said South Africa had sent messages to both Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, urging them to put pressure on groups who kidnapped an Israeli soldier over the weekend.
Israeli and Palestinian authorities have been in a stand-off since the kidnapping.
The Israeli Defence Force has moved tanks and soldiers to the border of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has warned of a ”large scale military operation” to find the soldier.
Pahad urged Israel to give the international community time to find a diplomatic solution.
”It is a situation of grave danger and serious concern to us,” Pahad said.
He said he hoped there was time to prevent a major escalation of the situation.
Pahad’s comments echoed those of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, who on Monday called for restraint.
Annan urged all parties to ”exercise restraint at this grave moment, and to take all possible steps to avoid further escalation and bloodshed,” his spokesperson said.
According to the spokesperson, Anna was ”alarmed” at the recent events triggered by a Palestinian militant raid early on Sunday on an Israeli army post on the Gaza Strip border.
Two Israeli servicemen and two Palestinian fighters were killed and a 20-year-old Israeli corporal, who also holds French nationality, was snatched by the raiders.
Annan’s spokesperson said the UN chief had called for the ”safe and immediate release” of the captured soldier.
Three Palestinian groups, including the armed wing of Hamas, has called for the release of all Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails in exchange for information on the kidnapped soldier.
The deal was rejected by Olmert, who has ordered commanders to prepare a major offensive after the abduction. ‒ Sapa, Sapa-AFP