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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that an investigation will be launched into the mysterious arrival of a private aircraft transporting 153 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip into the nation.

Primary Access Rejection

The group touched down at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially blocked from entering and remained in the aircraft for over 10 hours as they "lacked the standard exit markings in their identification papers", government officials stated.

The majority were ultimately permitted to enter after intervention from a South African aid group and because of the leadership's "compassion [and] humanity", Ramaphosa said.

The details of their leaving from the Gaza Strip and flight to the nation are still unknown.

Diplomatic Context

The nation has maintained firm backing for the Palestinian struggle during the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

Ramaphosa stated the passengers "through unknown means mysteriously were put on a aircraft that stopped in Nairobi" and traveled to South Africa.

"The residents departed from the Palestinian enclave after receiving clearance from a another state to receive them," announced an government agency that oversees Gaza's crossings.

Diplomatic Statement

According to the Palestinian embassy in the nation, the group exited an Israeli airport and traveled to the nation via the Nairobi, "absent advance notification or planning".

A declaration from the embassy stated "an unauthorized and deceptive entity [had] exploited the tragic living situation of our nationals in the Gaza Strip, misled individuals, collected money from them, and arranged their movement in an improper and careless fashion".

Current Circumstances

Of the 153 passengers, 23 were able to continue to alternative destinations, with 130 who were admitted into the territory, South African authorities report.

Ramaphosa, addressing during an function in the city, stated he was informed of the developing situation by the government representative.

In response, the president declared "we cannot turn them back", as reported by local media.

"Even though they lack the appropriate papers and records, these are individuals from a war-ravaged, a war-torn country," he added.

Government Measures

The president also informed media representatives the national administration would perform a "thorough review" of the matter and inform the people on "current developments and the way this situation developed in its current state", according to public broadcaster.

Interior Official Leon Schreiber stated that while Palestinian passport-holders were eligible for 90-day visa-free entry to South Africa, the lack of exit markings, homeward journeys or accommodation addresses in certain of the individuals' records resulted in the first rejection to let them into the nation.

Once it was established that the lack of this details "did not suggest that the individuals wished to apply for asylum" and their accommodation was confirmed, they were granted entry.

"Every one of the individuals are in ownership of valid travel documents and, now, zero of them have applied for protection," he stated.

Humanitarian Efforts

Local humanitarian organization has stated it will offer the travelers with housing in the territory.

Civil societies in South Africa have called for examinations into the situation the Palestinians had escaped in the Gaza Strip and the specific route of the jet.

A single of the travelers who communicated with local media voiced his gratitude to be in the country, describing it as a nation of "peace, rules and equity".

"We arrived from the Gaza Strip where we've encountered mortality on regularly. We have lived through a hostilities of an extended period and we are fortunate to be in South Africa," said one man who had departed with his spouse and kids.

Concerns and Calls for Accountability

The charity group has since called for Ramaphosa to look into the home affairs ministry and immigration officials for the "disrespect they've caused" the travelers.

The organization's founder said this conduct involved being made to wait for hours on the tarmac at the facility, being prevented from receiving meals supplied by the charity and "employing every excuse in the manual to prevent these travelers from leaving the plane".

Long-standing Support

South Africa has been strongly opposed of the Israeli military operation in Gaza.

The country's sympathy for the Palestinian struggle for an sovereign nation goes back many years, particularly the early 1990s when national hero Nelson Mandela vowed backing for the Palestinian rights.

Substantial in favor of Palestinian rights marches have been held throughout the country since the conflict started.

Smaller pro-Israel demonstrations and gatherings have been held in the country, which contains the largest Jewish population in the continent.

In 2023, the South African government lodged a legal action against the Israeli government with the global judicial body, alleging it of genocide in Gaza. Israel has strongly rejected the South African claim, calling it "without foundation".