🔗 Share this article

The nation's leader Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a probe will be initiated into the mysterious arrival of a private aircraft bringing 153 Palestinians from Gaza into the territory.

Initial Admission Refusal

The travelers arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were at first refused entry and remained in the aircraft for over 10 hours as they "were missing the customary exit markings in their identification papers", airport representatives confirmed.

The majority were ultimately granted entry after intervention from a South African aid group and because of the government's "understanding [and] compassion", Ramaphosa said.

The details of their exit from Gaza and flight to South Africa are still unknown.

Diplomatic Background

South Africa has maintained consistent advocacy for the Palestinian struggle throughout the war between Hamas and the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa commented the passengers "through unknown means puzzlingly were boarded a plane that traveled through Nairobi" and traveled to the country.

"These individuals exited the Palestinian enclave after securing clearance from a foreign nation to welcome them," declared an defense organization that controls Gaza's border points.

Diplomatic Comment

Based on the official representation in the nation, the travelers left a facility in Israel and flew to the state via the Kenyan capital, "absent advance notification or arrangement".

A declaration from the official office said "an unauthorized and deceptive entity [had] taken advantage of the tragic living situation of our people in Gaza, deceived households, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an irregular and irresponsible fashion".

Latest Circumstances

From the 153 travelers, 23 were able to travel to different destinations, resulting in 130 who were allowed into the territory, South African authorities confirm.

Ramaphosa, talking during an event in the urban center, said he was informed of the unfolding situation by the interior official.

In response, the president said "we cannot turn them back", as reported by South African reporting.

"Even though they do not have the necessary identification and records, these are individuals from a strife-torn, a war-torn country," he remarked.

Official Action

The president also informed journalists the South African government would conduct a "proper assessment" of the issue and notify the public on "current developments and the way this situation developed where it is", as stated by public broadcaster.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said that while individuals with Palestinian documents qualified for 90-day visa-exempt admission to the country, the absence of departure stamps, return tickets or housing locations in some of the passengers' records caused the original rejection to permit their entry to the nation.

Once it was confirmed that the lack of this information "did not suggest that the travellers wished to apply for refugee status" and their accommodation was verified, they were granted entry.

"Each of the travellers are in holding of legitimate passports and, now, zero of them have sought refuge," he said.

Support Response

Domestic aid group has said it will supply the passengers with housing in the nation.

Civil societies in South Africa have requested examinations into the situation the Palestinians had left in Gaza and the exact route of the jet.

One of the Palestinian nationals who communicated with domestic television voiced his relief to be in the country, describing it as a nation of "harmony, rules and justice".

"We arrived from the Gaza Strip where we've experienced danger on every day. We have survived a hostilities of an extended period and we are lucky to be in this place," remarked a male passenger who had departed with his wife and two children.

Complaints and Calls for Investigation

The humanitarian organization has afterwards demanded Ramaphosa to look into the government agency and immigration officials for the "humiliation they've caused" the Palestinian nationals.

The foundation's leader stated this handling consisted of being required to wait for a long time on the runway at the airport, being prevented from receiving meals offered by the group and "employing every excuse in the guide to prevent these travelers from disembarking".

Long-standing Backing

The country has been strongly opposed of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

The nation's sympathy for the Palestinian fight for an sovereign nation goes back a long time, particularly the early 1990s when anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela committed backing for the Palestinian struggle.

Significant supporting Palestine marches have been held around the country since the conflict commenced.

Less numerous in favor of Israeli policies demonstrations and gatherings have been conducted in the state, which hosts the most significant Jewish population in the continent.

In last year, the South African government submitted a case against the nation with the world court, charging it of mass killing in the Gaza Strip. Israel has firmly denied the accusation, describing it "baseless".