🔗 Share this article The South African government to Examine Mysterious Landing of Plane Transporting Palestinians from the Gaza Strip Approximately 23 travelers have afterwards moved on to different locations, officials confirm South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that an inquiry will be conducted into the unexplained landing of a chartered plane carrying 153 individuals from Palestine from the Gaza Strip into the country. Primary Entry Rejection The passengers touched down at OR Tambo International Airport but were originally blocked from entering and remained in the jet for in excess of 10 hours as they "were missing the usual departure stamps in their travel documents", airport representatives stated. Most were eventually allowed in after assistance from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the government's "empathy [and] sympathy", Ramaphosa remarked. The circumstances of their departure from the Gaza Strip and flight to South Africa remain unclear. Diplomatic Background The country has upheld firm backing for the Palestinian cause throughout the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. Ramaphosa stated the travelers "through unknown means unexplainably were put on a jet that passed by Nairobi" and flew to South Africa. "The residents departed from the Gaza Strip after securing clearance from a third country to receive them," announced an government agency that manages Gaza's crossings. Diplomatic Comment Per the diplomatic mission in the country, the travelers departed from a facility in Israel and traveled to the state via the Kenyan capital, "without any previous coordination or planning". A declaration from the diplomatic mission said "a non-official and false group [had] used the tragic circumstances of our nationals in Gaza, tricked households, took payments from them, and arranged their journey in an improper and reckless manner". Present Status Of the 153 passengers, 23 managed to travel to other locations, with 130 who were admitted into the territory, national representatives confirm. Ramaphosa, speaking during an gathering in the city, mentioned he was informed of the developing situation by the government representative. In reply, the president said "we are unable to refuse them", as reported by local media. "Although they lack the required identification and papers, these are persons from a conflict-ridden, a battle-scarred land," he added. Government Response The head of state also told journalists the national administration would carry out a "thorough assessment" of the issue and update the people on "ongoing events and how this matter occurred as it stands", per government television. Interior Official Leon Schreiber commented that while Palestinian passport-holders were eligible for 90-day visa-free admission to the nation, the non-existence of exit markings, homeward journeys or residence details in certain of the individuals' records caused the original rejection to let them into the country. Once it was determined that the lack of this information "did not suggest that the individuals wanted to seek asylum" and their housing was verified, they were allowed in. "Every one of the individuals are in ownership of current travel documents and, now, not one of them have sought refuge," he confirmed. Humanitarian Efforts Local humanitarian organization has announced it will offer the group with lodging in the country. Non-governmental organizations in the nation have demanded inquiries into the situation the individuals had left in the Gaza Strip and the specific route of the jet. A single of the Palestinian nationals who spoke to South African news voiced his gratitude to be in South Africa, portraying it as a land of "peace, regulations and justice". "We traveled from the Gaza Strip where we've faced mortality on regularly. We have endured a hostilities of 24 months and we are blessed to be in South Africa," remarked one man who had escaped with his wife and two children. Criticism and Calls for Investigation The aid foundation has since demanded Ramaphosa to examine the interior department and customs service for the "embarrassment they've created" the Palestinians. The organization's founder stated this conduct consisted of being made to stay for an extended period on the airport area at the terminal, being prevented from receiving nourishment provided by the organization and "utilizing all possible reasons in the book to block these passengers from leaving the plane". Historical Support The nation has been strongly opposed of the nation's armed campaign in Gaza. The nation's support for the Palestinian cause for an self-governing country goes back a long time, particularly the beginning of the 1990s when anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela committed backing for the Palestinian struggle. Substantial in favor of Palestinian rights marches have been conducted across the country since the war began. More limited supporting Israel demonstrations and events have been held in the country, which has the biggest Jewish residents in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2023, the South African government submitted a legal action against the nation with the International Court of Justice, alleging it of genocide in Gaza. The nation has categorically refused the South African claim, calling it "unsubstantiated".