This comes in the wake of Iran launching 300 drones and missiles in a retaliatory attack on Israel. Tehran has also warned that if Israel retaliates, it should brace itself for an even more forceful response. Ramaphosa says if the war in Gaza had been handled with maturity and responsibility, this wouldn't have happened.

"We did warn at a very early stage that unless the war between Israel and Palestine and Gaza is handled with care, and with great wisdom to ensure that there is a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance the war will soon escalate beyond the borders of Israel and it would engulf the countries in the Middle East.

We should not be having a regional conflict when we know what the origins of this conflict are and we therefore call on all parties to desist from escalating this conflict. It is a very dangerous conflict that could escalate way beyond even the borders of the Middle East," Ramaphosa said.

--SABC--