Israel-Gaza war reechoes painful memories of South Africa under apartheid regime — President Ramaphosa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas brings back "painful memories" of apartheid of South Africans.

In a statement released on Monday, October 16, President Ramaphosa condemned violence against civilians on both sides and called for an immediate ceasefire.

He compared Israel's blockade of Gaza to the collective punishment enforced by South Africa's former apartheid regime.

"As South Africans, this has echoes of the collective punishment of our own people by the apartheid regime as it sought to destroy the liberation movement," President Ramaphosa said.

"It brings back painful memories, as it does for our neighbours in the region," he added.

The president called on world leaders to "make a call for peace and not vengeance" and support negotiations towards a "just and lasting peace that satisfies the human rights, dignity and aspirations of all the people on both sides of this conflict."

"The only way to bring about peace is the fulfilment of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to human rights, dignity and nationhood,” the President stressed.