The Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Ambassador Penda Naanda, has issued a statement in which Namibia expresses concern and subsequently condemns the ongoing escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one that is long-running.

Hamas is fighting for the attainment of sovereignty for the Palestinian people, while Israel has been extending its borders into Gaza, a territory that forms part of Palestine.

Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist militant group with both a political and an armed wing, does not recognise the state of Israel.

And Israel formally declared war on Hamas on Sunday after Hamas launched its deadly surprise assault on Saturday.

Foreign media has released reports that, as of Monday morning, over 700 Israeli civilians and members of the military were killed and over 2000 injured since the attack was launched early Saturday morning.

Ambassador Penda Naanda says the conflict has led to the loss of precious lives for both Palestinians and Israelis, urging Israel to cease its attacks, refrain from engaging in provocative acts against the Palestinian people, and respect international humanitarian law.

Namibia continues to support diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a lasting peace leading to a two-state solution along the border with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, says Penda Naanda.

He says that the government of Namibia reaffirms its strong support for the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people for the absolute right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.

The government of Namibia is therefore urging the international community to speak with cohesion, call for an end to the attacks, and continue to support the Palestinian people through the implementation of relevant UN resolutions.