In a strong condemnation of the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip, South Africa's government has taken decisive action by recalling its ambassador and diplomatic mission to Israel. The government has labeled the bombardment of Gaza as a "genocide" and has threatened to take action against the Israeli ambassador to South Africa over recent remarks about the country's stance on the Israel-Hamas war.

The war erupted after the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, launched an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 people. The South African government has made the decision to withdraw all its diplomats from Tel Aviv for consultation, expressing concern over the Israeli ambassador's disparaging remarks about those opposing the atrocities and genocide committed by the Israeli government.

The Department of International Relations has been instructed to take necessary measures within diplomatic channels and protocols to address the ambassador's conduct, with the position of the Israeli ambassador in South Africa deemed as untenable. Pro-Palestinian protesters in South Africa have been staging demonstrations at the US Consulate in Johannesburg and Israeli embassies in Pretoria and Cape Town, urging the government to expel the Israeli ambassador.

International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor, who recently hosted her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, announced that South African officials will be recalled from Tel Aviv to provide a detailed briefing on the situation in the region. She expressed deep concern over the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territory, denouncing Israel's response as a form of collective punishment. South Africa, led by the ruling African National Congress party, which has strong ties to Palestine, has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for aid to be allowed into the besieged enclave.

The South African government's decision to recall its ambassador follows similar actions taken by other countries, including Chile, Colombia, Honduras, and Bolivia, which severed diplomatic ties with Israel to protest the military operations in Gaza. Israel has criticized these Latin American countries, calling on Colombia and Chile to explicitly condemn the Hamas terrorist organization.