African Union calls for end to Israel-Palestine hostilities

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The African Union (AU) has urged Israel and Palestine to end their war and resume peace talks, as the death toll from the latest escalation of violence in the region rises.

In a statement on Sunday, October 7, the AU's top official, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed his "utmost concern" at the situation and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

"The Chairperson wishes to recall that denial of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, particularly that of an independent and sovereign State, is the main cause of the permanent Israeli-Palestinian tension," he said.

He appealed to both parties to "put an end to military hostilities and to return, without conditions, to the negotiating table to implement the principle of two States living side by side, to safeguard the interests of the Palestinian people and the Israeli people."

He also called on the international community, especially the major world powers, to "assume their responsibilities to impose peace and guarantee the rights of the two peoples."

The statement came after a meeting of the AU's Peace and Security Council, which discussed the situation in the Middle East.

The Council expressed its solidarity with the Palestinian people and reiterated its support for their legitimate aspirations for statehood.

The AU's statement comes amid a surprise attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Israel on Saturday, which combined gunmen breaching security barriers and a barrage of rockets fired from Gaza.

The attack was launched at dawn during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, 50 years and a day after Egyptian and Syrian forces attacked Israel during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur in 1973.

According to Israeli media, at least 250 people have been killed and 1,590 wounded in Israel since Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kenya has condemned what it termed as an unprovoked attack by Hamas militants on the people of Israel and called for dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy as the only way to resolve the conflict.

In a statement on Saturday, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Singoei, said the violence has not only disrupted the fragile peace in the Middle East but also poses a significant threat to global peace and security.

"We firmly support international efforts aimed at achieving a lasting and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and we call on all parties involved to immediately cease hostilities, exercise restraint and seek a negotiated agreement," he said.