The Israeli ship carrying the hundreds of abducted Global Sumud Flotilla activists is expected to reach occupied Palestine on Tuesday.
The Flotilla organisers say that they are monitoring the situation after Israel abducted the activists in international waters.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is calling for the activists’ immediate and unconditional release.
Concerns have been raised about the safety and well-being of those abducted. These concerns follow earlier accounts of mistreatment at the hands of Israelis during a similar incident last month.
Meanwhile the South African government asserts that the Israeli interception and abduction of Global Sumud Flotilla activists is illegal.
South Africans are amongst those abducted by the Israeli entity, including the daughter of a Radio 786 Host. Gadija Ahjum spoke of her natural fear as a mother for the safety and well-being of her child, Hajar, while also underscoring the global mission to confront the occupation.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, has underscored that the flotilla, which is a civilian-led initiative, embarked upon a peaceful and humanitarian mission. DIRCO says that the flotilla’s participants aim to draw attention to the severe and urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people in Gaza and to deliver vital aid to alleviate the widespread suffering of a people living under occupation and genocide.
DIRCO is engaging with all relevant stakeholders and organisations liaising with the Global Sumud Flotilla as part of efforts to secure the safe and immediate release of those affected.
This is while ensuring that their families are kept fully abreast of developments as the situation unfolds.
The foreign ministers of Brazil, Bangladesh, Colombia, Spain, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Pakistan, and Türkiye have condemned the Israeli attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla. They warn that the targeting of civilian vessels and humanitarian activists violates international law.
The boats were sailing to Gaza to break the illegal and inhumane siege on the Palestinian people when they were hijacked in international waters by the Israeli forces.
