Following the Israeli deadly attack on a vessel attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, South Africa has recalled its ambassador to Israel, Malusi Mogale, the spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, confirmed to Xinhua on Thursday.

The move is intended to express South Africa's condemnation of the attack, Mogale said.

South Africa has no intention to expel the Israeli ambassador to south Africa, Mogale added.

Also on Thursday, South African Deputy International Relations Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim said South Africa is recalling its ambassador to Israel.

However, the South African government has no intention of expelling the Israeli ambassador to South Africa or of cutting diplomatic ties with that community.

"The recall of ambassador Ishmael Coovadia is to show our strongest condemnation of the attack. This recent Israel aggression of attacking the aid flotilla severely impacts on finding a lasting solution to the problems of the region," Ebrahim told journalists in Pretoria

"The South African government also joins the international community in its call for the siege of Gaza to be immediately lifted," said Ebrahim, adding that the siege has brought "untold hardships" to the ordinary people of Gaza.

Ebrahim said that the South African Government welcomed the decision by Egypt to open the Rafa border crossing between it and Palestinian-controlled Rafah.

It is not clear when Ishmael Coovadia, South Africa's ambassador to Israel, will be back to the country.

On Monday morning, Israeli naval forces attacked the Freedom Flotilla, killing at least 19 and wounding dozens. The forces also seized the ships and vessels and prevented the fleet from reaching the Gaza Strip.