South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has issued a sharply worded statement condemning what it calls an “illegal and unprovoked attack” by the Israeli Defence Force on a residential building in Doha that reportedly housed members of Hamas’s Political Bureau on Tuesday. The ministry said the raid, carried out in a civilian neighbourhood, flouted international humanitarian law and the United Nations (UN) Charter’s safeguards for non-combatants.

DIRCO warned that striking inside Qatar “constitutes a blatant violation of international law” and represents a direct breach of the Gulf state’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It added that the targeting of civilian infrastructure further “compromises the safeguarding of civilians”, framing the action as an affront to universally accepted rules of armed conflict.

Pretoria noted that the attack coincided with Doha’s ongoing effort to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Undermining that facilitation role, the statement argued, “risks derailing prospects for de-escalation” and hampers wider diplomatic attempts to halt the fighting. The South African government conveyed its “support to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Government of the State of Qatar” for pursuing those talks.

Calling Israel’s campaign in Gaza “genocidal”, DIRCO demanded an immediate cease-fire and urged the Israeli military to suspend operations so that negotiations toward “a just peace” can begin. The ministry reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to protecting civilians and upholding international norms and indicated that it would continue to pursue accountability through various multilateral forums.