ISRAEL 'ABDUCTS' MANDELA

MANDLA Mandela and several othe South African activist were taken captive by Israeli forces while en route to Gaza with the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in the early hours of Thursday.

The grandson of the late Nelson Mandela and a prominent activist was part of a group led by Swede Greta Thunberg to bring much-need aid to Palestinians in Gaza, where a United Nations commission of inquiry as confirmed that the Israeli government is committing a genocide. 

 In a prerecorded a message in case of interception by Israel, Mandela said:  "I'm a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. If you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and have been abducted by the state of apartheid Israel," he said. "I call you to request our government to exert pressure for my immediate release."

Delegates aboard the flotilla, which included South African civilians Fatima Hendricks, Zaheera Soomar, Zukisa Wanner, Reaaz Moola, Bashera Soomar and Carolyn Shelver, were reportedly detained and faced drone and water cannon attacks.

The GSF said in a statement: "We confirm that the Israeli occupation forces have ambushed the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, detaining some of the delegates and attacking the vessels with drones and water cannons.

"These actions represent yet another attempt to silence voices of solidarity and to prevent even the smallest lifeline of relief from reaching Gaza. This is illegal under international law."

The Israeli foreign ministry said on Thursday it would deport to Europe pro-Palestinian activists on board vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla that were intercepted by Israeli naval forces.

The ministry said on X: "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.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the Israeli government to immediately release South Africans and other nationals detained after Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Gaza.

The flotilla, comprising dozens of humanitarian vessels, was on a mission to deliver aid to Palestinians living under blockade. In a strongly worded statement, President Ramaphosa condemned Israel's actions.

The president said: "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."