South Africa demands release of South Africans, activists seized in Israeli raid on Flotilla

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa says Israel's interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla was a "grave offence" against "global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza".

In a statement issued on Thursday, Ramaphosa called for the immediate release of South Africans and other international activists reportedly seized in international waters while attempting to deliver aid to Palestinians.

“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,” Ramaphosa said.

The flotilla, made up of dozens of vessels carrying humanitarian supplies, was intercepted by Israeli forces as they approached Gaza.

“This action also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded,” Ramaphosa said, adding that the flotilla symbolised “solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel.”

Ramaphosa stressed that such an operation violated international law, the sovereignty of multiple nations, and an International Court of Justice (ICJ) injunction requiring the unimpeded flow of aid into Gaza.