Hamas has condemned Isaac Herzog's upcoming visit to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, characterizing it as a Zionist effort to undermine the long-standing African support for the Palestinian people's right to freedom and for the end of the Israeli occupation.

In a statement, the movement asserted that receiving a "war criminal, whose hands are stained with the blood of innocent children, women, and elders, constitutes direct complicity in whitewashing the occupation's record and normalizing the crime of genocide that it has committed against the people in Gaza," the repercussions of which persist due to the occupation's renunciation of its obligations and its continued violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas called on all nations to intensify the boycott of the "Israeli occupation entity and its terrorist leaders," specifically appealing to countries across the African continent to reject any relations with the Israeli occupation and to continue their historic role in confronting injustice and colonialism.

Concluding its statement, the movement emphasized that the "Zionist occupation represents the most vile, brutal, and savage form of colonial settlement."

First Israeli president to visit Zambia

Hamas' statements come on the eve of the official visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a one-day tour during which he is scheduled to meet with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, and other officials, according to i24NEWS.

Israeli media reported that the visit aims to strengthen diplomatic relations between "Israel" and the African continent, following the reopening of the Israeli embassy in Zambia, and noted that Herzog will be the first Israeli president to visit this African nation.

'Israel' continues to violate the ceasefire in Gaza

This comes at a time when "Israel" continues violating the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, with the Ministry of Health reporting new casualties from the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Strip, as civil defense teams still struggle to reach the sites of bombardments.

The Ministry's daily update on Sunday stated that in 24 hours, Gaza hospitals received the bodies of seven martyrs, including one new martyr and six bodies recovered from under the rubble, in addition to five injuries who were transferred to hospitals in the Strip.

Since the announcement of the ceasefire on October 11, 2025, the Gaza Ministry of Health has recorded:

• 241 martyrs
• 619 injuries
• 528 bodies recovered from previous attacks

Despite the declared ceasefire, the Israeli occupation continues its violations, as evidenced by the rising death toll.

Since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the cumulative figures have reached alarming levels:

• 69,176 martyrs
• 170,690 injuries

Health officials and humanitarian organizations continue to warn of a worsening crisis amid limited access to emergency response, medical care, and essential services.