🔗 Share this article South Africa to Investigate Mysterious Landing of Aircraft Transporting Palestinian Nationals from Gaza Roughly 23 travelers have afterwards left to other locations, officials state The nation's leader Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that a probe will be conducted into the unexplained arrival of a chartered plane bringing 153 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip into the country. First Access Refusal The group landed at OR Tambo International Airport but were at first refused entry and were forced to stay in the plane for in excess of 10 hours as they "were missing the usual passport endorsements in their identification papers", government officials confirmed. A large portion were finally allowed in after intervention from a local charity and because of the government's "compassion [and] compassion", Ramaphosa said. The details of their exit from the Gaza Strip and journey to the nation are still unknown. Diplomatic Context The nation has continued strong support for the Palestinian rights during the conflict between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip. Ramaphosa commented the travelers "somehow mysteriously were boarded a plane that passed by Nairobi" and continued to the country. "The travelers exited the Palestinian enclave after obtaining authorization from a third country to accept them," announced an Israeli military body that oversees Gaza's border points. Diplomatic Statement According to the Palestinian embassy in the nation, the travelers departed from Israel's Ramon Airport and journeyed to the nation via the Nairobi, "lacking advance notification or arrangement". A announcement from the diplomatic mission said "a non-official and deceptive entity [had] taken advantage of the tragic circumstances of our citizens in the Gaza Strip, misled individuals, received funds from them, and arranged their travel in an improper and careless way". Present Circumstances Among the 153 travelers, 23 were able to fly on to different destinations, leaving 130 who were allowed into the country, South African authorities confirm. Ramaphosa, addressing during an event in the city, said he was notified of the unfolding crisis by the government representative. In reply, the head of state stated "we are unable to turn them back", according to South African reporting. "While they are without the required identification and papers, these are persons from a war-ravaged, a war-torn nation," he added. Government Response The leader also informed journalists the national administration would conduct a "thorough evaluation" of the matter and notify the citizens on "what is happening and how this matter occurred as it stands", as stated by public broadcaster. Interior Official Leon Schreiber commented that while individuals with Palestinian documents qualified for 90-day visa-free admission to South Africa, the non-existence of departure stamps, return tickets or residence details in some of the travellers' papers led to the first denial to let them into the country. Once it was established that the lack of this details "did not suggest that the travellers wished to request refugee status" and their lodging was confirmed, they were allowed in. "All of the travellers are in possession of legitimate travel documents and, currently, not one of them have applied for protection," he said. Aid Efforts Domestic aid group has stated it will supply the group with accommodation in the country. Community groups in the nation have called for investigations into the situation the Palestinians had left in Gaza and the exact journey of the aircraft. An individual of the Palestinian nationals who communicated with South African news voiced his gratitude to be in South Africa, describing it as a land of "harmony, laws and justice". "We arrived from Gaza where we've experienced death on daily basis. We have lived through a war of an extended period and we are fortunate to be in this place," stated one man who had departed with his partner and two children. Complaints and Demands for Action The charity group has afterwards called for Ramaphosa to look into the home affairs ministry and customs service for the "disrespect they've caused" the Palestinian nationals. The foundation's leader stated this treatment involved being forced to remain for an extended period on the runway at the facility, being denied nourishment supplied by the organization and "employing various justifications in the guide to block these individuals from leaving the plane". Long-standing Support The nation has been highly critical of Israel's military operation in Gaza. The nation's solidarity for the Palestinian fight for an self-governing country extends decades, especially the early 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela committed support for the Palestinian cause. Large pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been held around the country since the conflict began. Less numerous in favor of Israeli policies demonstrations and rallies have been held in the state, which contains the most significant Jewish residents in sub-Saharan Africa. In last year, the national administration filed a lawsuit against the Israeli government with the global judicial body, charging it of genocide in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government has strongly rejected the accusation, labeling it "baseless".