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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that an investigation will be conducted into the unexplained landing of a leased jet carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza into the territory.

First Entry Denial

The travelers touched down at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially denied admission and remained in the aircraft for more than 10 hours as they "did not have the standard passport endorsements in their passports", government officials confirmed.

The majority were eventually granted entry after assistance from a South African aid group and because of the leadership's "understanding [and] sympathy", Ramaphosa said.

The details of their exit from Gaza and flight to South Africa remain unclear.

Diplomatic Context

South Africa has continued consistent advocacy for the Palestinian cause during the hostilities between Hamas and the Israeli government in Gaza.

Ramaphosa said the travelers "through unknown means puzzlingly were put on a aircraft that traveled through Nairobi" and continued to South Africa.

"These individuals left the Gaza Strip after obtaining approval from a third country to welcome them," stated an Israeli military body that controls Gaza's crossings.

Official Declaration

Per the diplomatic mission in the country, the passengers departed from Israel's Ramon Airport and traveled to the country via the Nairobi, "absent previous coordination or planning".

A statement from the diplomatic mission claimed "an unauthorized and misleading group [had] used the tragic living situation of our people in the Gaza Strip, misled families, received funds from them, and organized their travel in an unorthodox and irresponsible manner".

Latest Circumstances

Among the 153 passengers, 23 were able to fly on to different destinations, leaving 130 who were allowed into the country, South African authorities confirm.

Ramaphosa, talking during an function in Johannesburg, mentioned he was made aware of the unfolding situation by the interior official.

In reply, the president declared "we cannot send them away", as reported by local media.

"While they lack the necessary identification and documents, these are persons from a war-ravaged, a battle-scarred nation," he added.

Official Action

The leader also stated to reporters the South African government would perform a "thorough review" of the situation and update the citizens on "current developments and the way this matter occurred in its current state", as stated by public broadcaster.

Government Representative Leon Schreiber commented that while individuals with Palestinian documents qualified for 90-day visa-exempt entry to South Africa, the lack of departure stamps, return tickets or housing locations in various of the travellers' papers led to the initial denial to permit their entry to the country.

After it was determined that the absence of this information "did not suggest that the travellers wanted to request protection" and their accommodation was established, they were allowed in.

"Every one of the passengers are in holding of valid identification papers and, currently, zero of them have sought protection," he said.

Aid Response

South African charity has said it will offer the group with accommodation in the nation.

Non-governmental organizations in South Africa have requested examinations into the conditions the Palestinians had left in Gaza and the specific path of the jet.

An individual of the travelers who spoke to local media expressed his gratitude to be in South Africa, portraying it as a country of "peace, laws and fairness".

"We came from the Gaza Strip where we've faced death on every day. We have survived a conflict of two years and we are lucky to be here," stated an individual who had fled with his spouse and offspring.

Criticism and Demands for Investigation

The aid foundation has since requested Ramaphosa to examine the government agency and customs service for the "humiliation they've created" the travelers.

The group's leader claimed this conduct included being forced to wait for hours on the tarmac at the facility, being prevented from receiving food offered by the organization and "using every excuse in the book to stop these individuals from leaving the plane".

Historical Backing

South Africa has been strongly opposed of the Israeli defense actions in Gaza.

The country's support for the Palestinian cause for an sovereign nation extends many years, notably the beginning of the 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela vowed backing for the Palestinian cause.

Large pro-Palestinian marches have been held throughout South Africa since the hostilities commenced.

More limited supporting Israel rallies and gatherings have been held in the country, which contains the most significant Jewish residents in the region.

In 2023, the country's leadership submitted a case against the nation with the world court, alleging it of genocide in the Gaza Strip. Israel has firmly denied the accusation, describing it "unsubstantiated".