By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) confirmed on Sunday that its specialist team had met with the South African detainees at the Negev prison facility in Israel.
The South Africans were among international activists aboard a flotilla carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
The vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces on Thursday before reaching their destination.
The flotilla, organised by pro-Palestinian groups, was transporting medical and relief supplies for civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Following the interception, passengers were detained and questioned by Israeli authorities.
Among the South Africans confirmed to have been on board the flotilla are Mandla Mandela, grandson of the late former president Nelson Mandela; writer and cultural activist Zukiswa Wanner and activist Reaaz Moolla.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), comprising around 45 boats, began its journey to Gaza last month, in an effort to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and break Israel’s siege on the region. The group included more than 500 activists, volunteers and politicians from 47 countries, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The GSF was the largest flotilla yet to try to break Israel’s blockade.
Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said a South African team met with the activists.
“Today (Sunday), our specialist team met with the South African delegation at the Negev Israeli Prison facility.
“The delegation has confirmed the detainees are in good health and in high spirits. The necessary procedures for their safe passage and return home to South Africa are advancing steadily, “Phiri said.
Meanwhile Hamas has agreed to release all the remaining Israeli hostages but says it wants further negotiations on a number of key points outlined in the US peace plan.
In a statement, the group said it agreed “to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Donald Trump’s proposal” – if the proper conditions for the exchanges are met.
The announcement came hours after Trump gave Hamas a Sunday deadline to accept the peace plan or face “all hell”.
But dozens were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza on Saturday, local health officials said, despite a demand from Trump for Israel to stop bombing in response to a declaration by Hamas that it was ready to free hostages under his plan to end the two-year-old war.
Eighteen people died in sporadic incidents, while 18 people, including children, were killed and several others wounded in an Israeli strike on a house in the Tuffah neighbourhood in Gaza City, medics said. The attack damaged several buildings nearby
Israel said it had targeted a Hamas militant who had posed a threat to its troops in the area, and that reports of casualties were under review.
South Africa asserts that a lasting peace cannot be built upon the suppression of a people’s fundamental human rights. International Relations minister Ronald Lamola urged all parties to transcend this cycle of confrontation and address the root causes of the conflict.
“This necessitates an immediate and permanent ceasefire, alongside a definitive political process that realises the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood, Lamola explained.
The minister added that South Africa stands ready to support all genuine inclusive efforts aimed at achieving this definitive and peaceful resolution.