South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Israel to release any of his country’s nationals who were detained on the humanitarian vessels that were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla en route to Gaza.

Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moolla were all said to be on board, while at least three others were also expected to have traveled.

“The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is another grave offense by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza and advancing peace in the region,” Ramaphosa said.

“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 added.

Ramaphosa went on to call on Israel to allow the humanitarian aid to reach its destination as the flotilla “represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel.”

He added: “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 material through all means possible.”

What is the symbolic and political impact of the flotillas en route to Gaza?

DW takes a look at the various missions that have tried to reach the shores of Gaza since 2010.

Brazil has condemned Israel after its navy intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid and activists to Gaza, including several Brazilian nationals and a lawmaker.

Brazil’s foreign ministry said it “deplores the Israeli government’s military action, which violates rights and endangers the physical well-being of peaceful protesters.” The statement added that Israel is now responsible for the safety of those detained, who had been in international waters.

Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said Brazil had raised concerns directly with Israel over the 15 Brazilians on board, including a member of the Brazilian parliament, Luizianne Lins. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has repeatedly denounced what he calls an Israeli “genocide” of Palestinians since the war began after Hamas’s October 2023 terror attack.

Last month, an independent United Nations inquiry announced it found that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. 

Israel’s foreign ministry has said pro-Palestinian activists aboard vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla will be deported to Europe after being intercepted by Israeli naval forces.

“Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health,” the ministry said Thursday on the social media platform X.

Israeli naval forces stopped several vessels attempting to sail toward Gaza.

Israel intercepted a total of 13 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla, with another 30 boats still sailing towards Gaza, flotilla organizers wrote on Telegram in their latest update.

The vessels were sailing in international waters north of Egypt.

Immediately after the interception, the ministry posted that “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” referring to Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

In previous posts, they said that livestreams and communications were cut on the intercepted boats and that the “status of participants and crew remains unconfirmed.”

Turkey‘s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Israel of “an act of terrorism” after the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was bound for Gaza, was intercepted.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro says he will expel all remaining Israeli diplomats in the country over Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

He said Israeli forces have detained two Colombian citizens who were aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Welcome to DW’s coverage of Gaza, Israel and the broader Middle East.

You join us after Israel says it has intercepted boats in an aid flotilla bound for Gaza.

The foreign ministry has said pro-Palestinian activists taken from the vessels will be deported to Europe. Israeli officials said the passengers are safe and in good health.

The vessels were sailing in international waters north of Egypt.

The boats’ progress across the Mediterranean Sea has drawn international attention.

Follow along as DW brings you the latest reports, explainers and analysis on developments across the Middle East.