PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has demanded the immediate release of Nelson Mandela’s grandson, South Africans, as well as other nationals detained by Israeli forces after a major humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza was intercepted in international waters.
Israeli naval forces on Thursday intercepted 39 of 40 vessels carrying aid and activists to Gaza, detaining approximately 500 people from dozens of countries, including Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, the grandson of South Africa’s liberation icon.
Live camera feeds verified by Reuters showed Israeli soldiers wearing helmets and night vision goggles boarding the ships as passengers huddled together in life vests with their hands raised.
President Ramaphosa condemned the operation as an “abduction” and a violation of international law, calling for the immediate release of all South Africans on board.
“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,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
Among the South Africans confirmed detained are Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, author Zukiswa Wanner and activist Reaaz Moolla. South African authorities are still seeking confirmation on three others: Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.
The flotilla set sail in late August, transporting medicine and food to Gaza with more than 40 civilian vessels carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists. It represents the highest-profile symbol of international opposition to Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among the most prominent passengers detained, with an Israeli foreign ministry video showing her surrounded by soldiers on deck.
“The interception of the flotilla in international waters is contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla,” Ramaphosa said. “This action also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded.”
The Israeli foreign ministry said the vessels were being diverted to an Israeli port, describing the operation as safely stopping a “Hamas-Sumud flotilla”.
The interception has sparked international outrage and diplomatic fallout. Turkey’s foreign ministry called Israel’s action “an act of terror,” while Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel’s entire diplomatic delegation and terminated Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel following the detention of two Colombians. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said 23 Malaysians were detained.
Protests erupted in Italy and Colombia, with demonstrations also planned in Greece, Ireland and Turkey. Italian unions called a general strike for Friday.
Israel’s navy had previously warned the flotilla it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful blockade, offering to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza.
However, President Ramaphosa insisted that “South Africa calls on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza, as the flotilla represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel.”
The grandson of Nelson Mandela, Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela, is sailing with the Global Sumud Flotilla towards Gaza — carrying forward the legacy of freedom, justice, and resistance to oppression. pic.twitter.com/j2BYR889Em
— Global Sumud Flotilla Commentary (@GlobalSumudF) September 15, 2025
The boats were intercepted about 70 nautical miles off Gaza inside a zone Israel is policing to prevent vessels from approaching.
Israel has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the coastal enclave in 2007, and there have been several previous attempts by activists to deliver aid by sea. In 2010, nine activists were killed after Israeli soldiers boarded a flotilla of six ships.
The current Gaza conflict began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. The subsequent Israeli military offensive has killed over 65,000 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities.
“My thoughts are with all of the abductees and their families, and 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,” Ramaphosa said.
