South Africa’s government has condemned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and said it risked plunging the Middle East into further turmoil, Reuters reports.

“South Africa is concerned that the assassination of Dr Haniyeh and the continuous targeting of civilians in Gaza will further spiral the already tense situation in the entire region,” the government’s department of international relations and cooperation said in a statement.

It conveyed its condolences to Haniyeh’s family and called for an investigation into his killing.

Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s new foreign minister, said Haniyeh’s killing violated international law and undermined efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East.

“It is crucial that the perpetrators of such actions must be brought to justice,” he said in the statement.