President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, describing it as: “another grave offence” against international solidarity and humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

In a statement on social media, Ramaphosa said South Africa: “calls 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 insisted that the flotilla’s interception violated international law, the sovereignty of the nations whose flags were flown by the vessels, and an International Court of Justice injunction requiring that humanitarian aid be allowed into Gaza without obstruction.

“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. He added that the action: “also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded.”

Ramaphosa stressed that the flotilla: “represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel,” and called o nIsrael to ensure its cargo reaches civilians in need. “South Africa calls on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza,” he said.

Israel, however, defended its actions. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the flotilla was attempting to breach: “a lawful naval blockade” of an active combat zone. According to the ministry, the navy reached out to the vessels and: “asked them to change course,” offering instead to deliver the aid through established humanitarian channels. It said flotilla organisers refused these offers.

The ministry further cited newly discovered documents as proof of what it called: “Hamas’s direct involvement in the Gaza flotilla,” linking the mission’s leadership to the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), an organisation Israel designated as a Hamas front in 2021. Israeli officials claimed the flotilla was part of Hamas’s global strategy of: “provocation flotillas” rather than a neutral humanitarian initiative.

Israel said all vessels were diverted to port without incident and that passengers: “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.”