🔗 Share this article

The nation's leader Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a probe will be launched into the mysterious landing of a chartered plane bringing 153 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip into the country.

First Access Denial

The group landed at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially denied admission and remained in the jet for more than 10 hours as they "were missing the usual passport endorsements in their travel documents", airport representatives reported.

Most were ultimately granted entry after assistance from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the leadership's "empathy [and] compassion", Ramaphosa remarked.

The particulars of their leaving from Gaza and flight to the nation continue to be mysterious.

Diplomatic Background

The nation has maintained strong support for the Palestinian struggle throughout the hostilities between the Hamas organization and the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa commented the travelers "in some way unexplainably were placed aboard a jet that traveled through Nairobi" and traveled to South Africa.

"These individuals departed from the Gaza Strip after obtaining approval from a foreign nation to receive them," declared an Israeli military body that oversees Gaza's crossings.

Diplomatic Comment

Based on the diplomatic mission in South Africa, the passengers left a facility in Israel and traveled to the state via the Nairobi, "absent advance notification or arrangement".

A announcement from the diplomatic mission stated "an unregistered and misleading entity [had] used the difficult living situation of our nationals in Gaza, misled families, received funds from them, and facilitated their journey in an unorthodox and irresponsible manner".

Present Status

Of the 153 individuals, 23 were able to fly on to other places, resulting in 130 who were allowed into the territory, national representatives confirm.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an function in Johannesburg, stated he was notified of the developing situation by the interior official.

In response, the head of state declared "we must not turn them back", according to domestic news.

"Even though they lack the appropriate identification and documents, these are individuals from a conflict-ridden, a battle-scarred land," he continued.

Administrative Action

The head of state also stated to journalists the South African government would carry out a "thorough evaluation" of the matter and inform the citizens on "current developments and the manner in which this matter developed in its current state", per national media.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said that while travelers from Palestine met requirements for 90-day visa-free entry to South Africa, the absence of exit markings, return tickets or accommodation addresses in some of the passengers' records caused the original rejection to let them into the country.

After it was established that the absence of this details "was not evidence that the passengers wished to apply for protection" and their housing was verified, they were permitted to enter.

"Each of the individuals are in holding of current identification papers and, at present, none of them have applied for protection," he stated.

Support Response

South African charity has said it will provide the group with housing in the country.

Civil societies in the country have demanded examinations into the conditions the individuals had escaped in Gaza and the specific journey of the plane.

An individual of the Palestinian nationals who communicated with South African news voiced his thankfulness to be in the nation, portraying it as a land of "peace, laws and justice".

"We traveled from the Gaza Strip where we've faced danger on every day. We have survived a war of 24 months and we are blessed to be here," said one man who had departed with his partner and offspring.

Criticism and Requests for Investigation

The charity group has since requested Ramaphosa to investigate the interior department and customs service for the "disrespect they've created" the Palestinian nationals.

The group's director claimed this conduct consisted of being required to stay for hours on the tarmac at the terminal, being refused nourishment provided by the charity and "employing various justifications in the book to block these travelers from leaving the plane".

Long-standing Advocacy

South Africa has been sharply disapproving of the nation's defense actions in Gaza.

The nation's support for the Palestinian struggle for an independent state goes back a long time, particularly the early 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela committed backing for the Palestinian rights.

Significant pro-Palestinian protests have been organized throughout the country since the conflict began.

Smaller supporting Israel rallies and gatherings have been organized in the state, which hosts the biggest Jewish population in the region.

In last year, the country's leadership submitted a case against Israel with the world court, charging it of genocide in Gaza. Israel has strongly rejected the accusation, describing it "without foundation".