Ramaphosa meets with family of slain SA-born IDF soldier Daniel Perez
Updated Aug. 11, 2026, 9:38 a.m. | By Faith Modise President Cyril Ramaphosa met with the family of the late South African-born Captain Daniel Perez…
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Updated Aug. 11, 2026, 9:38 a.m. | By Faith Modise
President Cyril Ramaphosa met with the family of the late South African-born Captain Daniel Perez following the interventions of the government in facilitating the release of his remains by Hamas.
Perez, who was 22, was killed in October 2023 after being held hostage for more than 160 days while serving in the Israel Defense Forces.
He was born and raised in Johannesburg before his family moved to Israel in 2014.
His remains were eventually repatriated to Israel as part of a negotiated ceasefire agreement, and he was laid to rest at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem in 2025.
According to the Presidency’s Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to the Perez family and reaffirmed his support for an inclusive and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
“The South African government remains engaged in assisting all South Africans, irrespective of race or religion, who are ensnared in conflict zones as well as assisting other foreign nationals where such support is requested,” said Magwenya.
Magwenya said the government’s engagements extend to other ongoing conflicts.
“This includes facilitating the release of South Africans trapped in a war in Syria, citizens who were sold to Russian mercenaries and the safe return of Ukrainian children.”
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