Kenya-based South African activist among those detained after Israeli interception of Gaza aid flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of more than 50 vessels and thousands of participants from 44 countries, was delivering food and medical supplies to civilians trapped under Israel’s blockade since October 2023.
Tensions at sea escalated when Israeli forces intercepted an international flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, detaining South African activist Zukiswa Wanner, who has lived in Kenya for over a decade.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of more than 50 vessels and thousands of participants from 44 countries, was delivering food and medical supplies to civilians trapped under Israel’s blockade since October 2023.
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Wanner, 49, was apprehended in international waters as the flotilla attempted to reach Gaza.
Her husband, James Murua, called for urgent action, appealing to the Kenyan government and the African Union to secure her release.
In a public letter, he wrote: “I appeal directly to the government of Kenya, where she has been a resident for the past 14 years, and to the African Union (AU), to do everything in their power to secure the release of her and others kidnapped by the Israeli regime. I also appeal to black writers, activists, and anyone of good conscience to raise their voices in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the people of Gaza, who are enduring almost unimaginable horrors in their struggle to survive a power bent on erasing their existence.”
Murua said he lost contact with the flotilla after its tracking system went offline late at night, leaving him distraught.
“I had been tracking the flotilla via the official tracker and live stream until 1 am, when I went to sleep. When I woke up at 4:00 am, I saw that the flotilla had been intercepted, and I broke down in tears,” he said.
Born in Lusaka and raised in Harare, Wanner has long been an advocate for Palestinian rights. Murua linked her activism to her upbringing in the African National Congress, which fought for South Africa’s independence.
She attended the 2023 Palestine Festival of Literature, witnessing firsthand what she described as apartheid-like conditions.
Her experiences inspired the book Vignettes of People in an Apartheid State, and she returned the Goethe Medal to Germany in 2024 to protest ongoing injustices in Gaza.
The flotilla’s mission has drawn international attention, with activists insisting their goal is purely humanitarian.
Israel, however, said the mission is a cover for rearming Hamas and announced that all detained activists will be deported back to Europe.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said: “None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade. All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe. One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented.”
Murua expressed fear for his wife’s safety, “In any other situation, I wouldn’t be worried about my partner’s safety, but the Israelis have shown singular cruelty to anyone who stands in the way of their mission to eradicate Palestinians from the face of the earth.”
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