🔗 Share this article

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a probe will be launched into the mysterious appearance of a chartered plane bringing 153 Palestinian nationals from Gaza into the territory.

Primary Entry Denial

The group landed at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially refused entry and were forced to stay in the aircraft for over 10 hours as they "were missing the customary exit markings in their travel documents", airport representatives confirmed.

A large portion were ultimately permitted to enter after intervention from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the leadership's "empathy [and] sympathy", Ramaphosa stated.

The particulars of their exit from the Gaza Strip and flight to South Africa continue to be mysterious.

Political Setting

South Africa has continued consistent advocacy for the Palestinian struggle throughout the hostilities between the Hamas organization and Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa commented the travelers "through unknown means mysteriously were placed aboard a jet that stopped in Nairobi" and flew to the country.

"The travelers departed from the Palestinian enclave after obtaining authorization from a third country to accept them," announced an Israeli military body that manages Gaza's crossings.

Official Comment

According to the diplomatic mission in the nation, the passengers left an Israeli airport and journeyed to the nation via the Nairobi, "absent previous coordination or planning".

A declaration from the diplomatic mission said "a non-official and false organization [had] taken advantage of the difficult living situation of our nationals in the Gaza Strip, misled households, took payments from them, and organized their journey in an improper and reckless manner".

Latest Circumstances

Of the 153 individuals, 23 were able to travel to alternative destinations, with 130 who were granted entry into the country, national representatives say.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an event in the city, said he was made aware of the ongoing situation by the government representative.

In reply, the leader stated "we must not refuse them", according to South African reporting.

"While they lack the appropriate papers and records, these are persons from a war-ravaged, a war-torn land," he continued.

Official Action

The leader also stated to reporters the country's leadership would perform a "thorough assessment" of the issue and notify the citizens on "what is happening and how this situation came to be as it stands", as stated by government television.

Interior Official Leon Schreiber said that while individuals with Palestinian documents qualified for 90-day visa-free entry to the country, the absence of passport endorsements, return tickets or residence details in some of the passengers' records caused the original rejection to allow them into the country.

After it was confirmed that the non-presence of this details "did not indicate that the travellers wished to apply for protection" and their accommodation was established, they were permitted to enter.

"All of the passengers are in ownership of current passports and, at present, not one of them have sought refuge," he stated.

Support Assistance

Local humanitarian organization has announced it will provide the group with housing in the territory.

Non-governmental organizations in the country have called for investigations into the circumstances the Palestinian nationals had fled in Gaza and the exact route of the plane.

An individual of the travelers who spoke to South African news expressed his thankfulness to be in the nation, characterizing it as a land of "harmony, regulations and equity".

"We arrived from Gaza where we've encountered danger on regularly. We have endured a conflict of two years and we are lucky to be in South Africa," stated one man who had escaped with his partner and offspring.

Concerns and Demands for Action

The aid foundation has since demanded Ramaphosa to look into the government agency and border authority for the "disrespect they've inflicted" the Palestinians.

The organization's director said this treatment included being required to remain for a long time on the tarmac at the terminal, being refused food provided by the organization and "utilizing various justifications in the book to stop these individuals from leaving the plane".

Traditional Advocacy

South Africa has been sharply disapproving of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

The country's solidarity for the Palestinian fight for an self-governing country dates back many years, notably the early 1990s when anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela pledged support for the Palestinian rights.

Significant pro-Palestinian marches have been organized throughout the nation since the war started.

More limited supporting Israel rallies and rallies have been conducted in the nation, which hosts the biggest Jewish community in the region.

In 2023, the national administration lodged a lawsuit against Israel with the global judicial body, alleging it of genocide in the Gaza Strip. Israel has strongly rejected the South African claim, labeling it "without foundation".