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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that an inquiry will be conducted into the unexplained arrival of a private aircraft bringing 153 Palestinian nationals from Gaza into the territory.

Initial Access Rejection

The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially refused entry and were stuck in the jet for in excess of 10 hours as they "were missing the standard exit markings in their passports", government officials stated.

A large portion were ultimately allowed in after assistance from a South African aid group and because of the administration's "empathy [and] humanity", Ramaphosa stated.

The details of their exit from Gaza and flight to South Africa are still unknown.

Political Background

The nation has upheld firm backing for the Palestinian struggle throughout the conflict between the Hamas organization and the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa said the travelers "in some way unexplainably were placed aboard a jet that traveled through Nairobi" and continued to the nation.

"The residents left the Gaza territory after receiving approval from a foreign nation to accept them," stated an defense organization that manages Gaza's border points.

Embassy Comment

Per the Palestinian embassy in the nation, the passengers departed from an Israeli airport and traveled to the nation via the Nairobi, "without any advance notification or arrangement".

A declaration from the official office said "an unauthorized and false group [had] exploited the difficult circumstances of our nationals in the Gaza Strip, misled individuals, received funds from them, and facilitated their travel in an unorthodox and careless manner".

Latest Circumstances

Among the 153 individuals, 23 managed to fly on to other destinations, with 130 who were admitted into the territory, national representatives say.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an gathering in Johannesburg, stated he was notified of the developing situation by the government representative.

In reply, the head of state declared "we cannot refuse them", according to domestic news.

"While they lack the necessary papers and documents, these are individuals from a war-ravaged, a violence-plagued country," he remarked.

Administrative Measures

The head of state also stated to reporters the national administration would conduct a "thorough review" of the matter and update the citizens on "what is happening and the way this situation occurred where it is", according to national media.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber commented that while travelers from Palestine met requirements for 90-day visa-free entry to South Africa, the non-existence of departure stamps, return tickets or accommodation addresses in various of the travellers' documentation led to the original refusal to let them into the country.

When it was established that the non-presence of this information "did not indicate that the passengers wished to apply for protection" and their lodging was confirmed, they were allowed in.

"All of the travellers are in possession of legitimate identification papers and, currently, zero of them have requested refuge," he confirmed.

Support Assistance

South African charity has said it will provide the travelers with lodging in the territory.

Community groups in South Africa have requested investigations into the conditions the Palestinian nationals had escaped in the Gaza Strip and the exact path of the plane.

One of the Palestinian nationals who communicated with South African news voiced his relief to be in the nation, characterizing it as a land of "tranquility, rules and fairness".

"We arrived from Gaza where we've encountered mortality on daily basis. We have endured a war of 24 months and we are blessed to be in South Africa," remarked one man who had escaped with his partner and kids.

Complaints and Requests for Accountability

The humanitarian organization has subsequently requested Ramaphosa to examine the interior department and border authority for the "embarrassment they've caused" the travelers.

The foundation's director stated this treatment included being made to remain for a long time on the airport area at the facility, being denied food offered by the organization and "employing various justifications in the manual to prevent these individuals from leaving the plane".

Historical Backing

The country has been strongly opposed of the nation's military operation in Gaza.

The nation's solidarity for the Palestinian cause for an self-governing country extends decades, especially the early 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela pledged backing for the Palestinian struggle.

Significant in favor of Palestinian rights marches have been held across the country since the war started.

More limited in favor of Israeli policies rallies and gatherings have been held in the country, which hosts the largest Jewish community in the region.

In 2023, the national administration lodged a legal action against the nation with the International Court of Justice, accusing it of mass killing in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government has strongly rejected the South African claim, calling it "baseless".