(MENAFN) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly urged Israel to immediately free South African citizens and other international individuals who were apprehended by Israeli forces following a raid on a humanitarian convoy en route to Gaza.

Ramaphosa sharply criticized the incident, which occurred in international waters, describing it as yet another indication of Israel’s ongoing "disregard for international law" and its role in intensifying the dire humanitarian conditions in the isolated Palestinian territory.

According to a statement from his office, “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.”

He emphasized that the flotilla’s mission was focused on easing the hardships in Gaza and promoting regional peace.

The president called on Israeli authorities to immediately free those who were taken into custody during the operation and to permit the humanitarian vessels to proceed with delivering their supplies.

“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,” Ramaphosa declared.

He further stated that the raid not only infringed on the sovereignty of the nations whose flags were carried on the aid ships but also violated a ruling by the International Court of Justice, which mandated unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa reiterated his country's position, saying, “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 materials by all possible means.”

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