🔗 Share this article

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that a probe will be conducted into the unexplained arrival of a leased jet bringing 153 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip into the territory.

Initial Access Denial

The group touched down at OR Tambo International Airport but were originally blocked from entering and remained in the jet for more than 10 hours as they "did not have the usual exit markings in their passports", local authorities confirmed.

A large portion were eventually allowed in after support from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the government's "compassion [and] humanity", Ramaphosa remarked.

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

International Context

South Africa has continued firm backing for the Palestinian cause throughout the war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

Ramaphosa stated the passengers "somehow unexplainably were put on a aircraft that traveled through Nairobi" and flew to the nation.

"These individuals departed from the Palestinian enclave after obtaining clearance from a another state to welcome them," announced an government agency that manages Gaza's entry-exit locations.

Official Comment

According to the diplomatic mission in the country, the group left a facility in Israel and journeyed to the state via the Nairobi, "without any previous coordination or arrangement".

A announcement from the embassy claimed "an unauthorized and deceptive organization [had] used the difficult living situation of our citizens in the Gaza Strip, misled families, received funds from them, and facilitated their travel in an unorthodox and irresponsible manner".

Current Status

Of the 153 passengers, 23 were able to travel to alternative destinations, resulting in 130 who were admitted into the nation, South African authorities confirm.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an gathering in the urban center, said he was made aware of the unfolding situation by the government representative.

In reply, the head of state said "we cannot refuse them", according to local media.

"While they lack the required identification and papers, these are individuals from a strife-torn, a violence-plagued nation," he remarked.

Official Response

The leader also stated to media representatives the national administration would carry out a "proper assessment" of the situation and update the people on "current developments and how this case occurred where it is", as stated by national media.

Interior Official Leon Schreiber commented that while individuals with Palestinian documents met requirements for 90-day visa-exempt entry to the country, the absence of passport endorsements, return tickets or accommodation addresses in various of the individuals' documentation caused the initial denial to allow them into the country.

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

"Every one of the travellers are in holding of current passports and, currently, none of them have sought asylum," he confirmed.

Support Response

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

Civil societies in the country have demanded inquiries into the conditions the individuals had left in the Gaza Strip and the precise route of the plane.

An individual of the Palestinian nationals who spoke to domestic television shared his thankfulness to be in the nation, characterizing it as a land of "tranquility, rules and fairness".

"We traveled from the Gaza Strip where we've faced danger on every day. We have lived through a war of 24 months and we are fortunate to be in this place," remarked one man who had departed with his partner and offspring.

Concerns and Requests for Accountability

The charity group has afterwards demanded Ramaphosa to look into the interior department and immigration officials for the "embarrassment they've inflicted" the travelers.

The group's director said this handling consisted of being forced to remain for hours on the runway at the facility, being denied meals provided by the charity and "using all possible reasons in the book to prevent these individuals from disembarking".

Long-standing Support

The nation has been strongly opposed of the Israeli armed campaign in the Gaza Strip.

The country's solidarity for the Palestinian cause for an independent state goes back decades, particularly the beginning of the 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela pledged backing for the Palestinian rights.

Significant supporting Palestine protests have been held around South Africa since the hostilities began.

Smaller supporting Israel marches and events have been held in the state, which contains the biggest Jewish community in sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2023, the country's leadership submitted a legal action against the nation with the International Court of Justice, accusing it of mass killing in Gaza. The Israeli government has firmly denied the South African claim, describing it "baseless".