South African president urges Israel to release citizens detained from Gaza aid flotilla

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday demanded the immediate release of South Africans and other foreign nationals detained by Israeli forces after attacking a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza.

Ramaphosa condemned the attack in international waters, saying it reflected Israel’s continued disregard for international law and worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

“The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza and advancing peace in the region,” he said in a statement from his office.

He urged Israel to free those detained during the raid and allow aid ships to deliver their cargo.

“On behalf of our government and nation, I call on Israel to immediately release the South Africans abducted in international waters, and to release other nationals who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid,” he said.

Ramaphosa argued that Israel’s actions violated the sovereignty of countries whose flags were flown on the flotilla’s vessels and breached an International Court of Justice order requiring unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.

“South Africa supports the call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving materials by all possible means,” he added.

He said the flotilla’s mission was one of “solidarity,” not confrontation, and expressed hope that Israel would quickly free the activists.

“My thoughts are with all of the abductees and their families,” Ramaphosa said. “It is my expectation that Israel will release the human rights activists as these abductions serve no purpose in the context of efforts to secure peace in the Middle East.”

- South Africans among hundreds detained

According to the presidency, those confirmed seized include Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moolla. Authorities are seeking confirmation on the status of Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.

The Global Sumud Flotilla -- more than 40 vessels carrying more than 500 volunteers from about 40 countries -- was attacked by Israeli naval forces on Wednesday some 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) off Gaza. Israeli forces reportedly attacked 21 vessels and detained at least 317 activists, according to the flotilla’s official tracker.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said “several boats” were detained and passengers were being taken to an Israeli port.

Israel has kept Gaza under blockade for nearly 18 years and further tightened restrictions in March by closing border crossings and halting food and medicine deliveries, deepening famine conditions.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The UN and rights groups have repeatedly warned that the enclave is becoming uninhabitable, with starvation and disease spreading rapidly.