Former Member of Parliament and grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela, has reportedly been abducted by Israeli forces.
Mandela is among ten South Africans on board the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a mission aimed at breaking the siege on Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid.
Other South Africans reportedly detained include Zukiswa Wanner, Reaaz Moolla and Dr Fatima Hendricks. Also on board are Nurain Saloojee, Jared Sacks, Zaheera Soomar, Elham Mouaffak-Hatfield, Fazel Behra and Irshaad Chotia.
‘ILLEGAL ATTACK’ ON FLOTILLA
According to the GSF, Israeli naval forces illegally intercepted and boarded the boats in international waters. Live streams and communications from the vessels have been cut, while reports indicate that Israeli forces used water cannons during the operation.
“This is an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians. We call on governments and international institutions to demand their immediate safety and release,” the GSF said.
Mandela has also urged South Africans to pressure the government for his immediate release, with Wanner echoing the call. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Irish Senator Chris Andrews have also reportedly been detained.
UNITED NATIONS TO BE NOTIFIED
Despite the interceptions, several boats, some accompanied by legal support, are still en route to Gaza. Al Jazeera’s Hassan Massoud, reporting from one of the flotilla boats, said lawyers are documenting violations of international humanitarian and maritime law. These reports, he added, will be submitted to the United Nations (UN) International Court of Justice.
This development follows a recent finding by the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and urged an immediate end to the atrocities. The commission’s chairperson, Navi Pillay, stated that Israel has shown a clear intent to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza.
