🔗 Share this article The South African government to Examine Baffling Landing of Aircraft Transporting Palestinians from Gaza About 23 passengers have subsequently left to different places, authorities state South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a probe will be launched into the mysterious landing of a leased jet carrying 153 Palestinian nationals from the Gaza Strip into the country. Initial Access Denial The travelers arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were at first refused entry and remained in the plane for more than 10 hours as they "lacked the standard departure stamps in their identification papers", local authorities stated. A large portion were eventually granted entry after assistance from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the administration's "understanding [and] sympathy", Ramaphosa stated. The particulars of their exit from the Gaza Strip and flight to South Africa remain unclear. International Context The nation has continued consistent advocacy for the Palestinian cause amid the hostilities between the Hamas organization and Israel in the Gaza Strip. Ramaphosa stated the passengers "in some way mysteriously were placed aboard a jet that traveled through Nairobi" and traveled to South Africa. "The residents exited the Gaza territory after receiving clearance from a another state to receive them," declared an Israeli military body that manages Gaza's entry-exit locations. Diplomatic Statement According to the Palestinian embassy in the nation, the passengers left Israel's Ramon Airport and traveled to the country via the Nairobi, "lacking prior note or planning". A statement from the diplomatic mission said "an unauthorized and deceptive entity [had] exploited the devastating humanitarian conditions of our people in the Gaza Strip, tricked families, took payments from them, and arranged their journey in an unorthodox and reckless fashion". Present Situation From the 153 individuals, 23 were able to continue to other places, leaving 130 who were granted entry into the country, national representatives say. Ramaphosa, addressing during an event in the urban center, said he was made aware of the unfolding crisis by the interior official. In response, the head of state said "we are unable to turn them back", as reported by South African reporting. "While they lack the appropriate identification and records, these are persons from a conflict-ridden, a battle-scarred nation," he added. Administrative Measures The president also told journalists the country's leadership would perform a "thorough assessment" of the matter and update the citizens on "current developments and the way this case developed as it stands", according to public broadcaster. Interior Official Leon Schreiber commented that while individuals with Palestinian documents were eligible for 90-day visa-free access to South Africa, the absence of departure stamps, round-trip fares or housing locations in some of the travellers' papers led to the original refusal to permit their entry to the nation. After it was established that the non-presence of this data "was not evidence that the individuals wanted to apply for asylum" and their lodging was verified, they were permitted to enter. "Every one of the individuals are in holding of current travel documents and, now, none of them have applied for asylum," he confirmed. Aid Assistance Domestic aid group has said it will offer the travelers with accommodation in the country. Non-governmental organizations in the country have requested inquiries into the circumstances the Palestinian nationals had left in Gaza and the exact path of the aircraft. One of the travelers who was interviewed by local media expressed his thankfulness to be in South Africa, portraying it as a land of "harmony, laws and equity". "We came from Gaza where we've faced death on regularly. We have endured a conflict of two years and we are blessed to be in South Africa," stated a male passenger who had escaped with his spouse and kids. Concerns and Requests for Accountability The humanitarian organization has afterwards requested Ramaphosa to look into the home affairs ministry and customs service for the "humiliation they've caused" the Palestinians. The organization's director said this conduct involved being forced to wait for a long time on the runway at the facility, being prevented from receiving nourishment provided by the charity and "employing all possible reasons in the book to stop these individuals from disembarking". Historical Advocacy The nation has been sharply disapproving of the Israeli defense actions in Gaza. The country's solidarity for the Palestinian struggle for an sovereign nation goes back many years, particularly the beginning of the 1990s when national hero Nelson Mandela vowed support for the Palestinian cause. Large pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been held around the country since the war started. Smaller in favor of Israeli policies marches and gatherings have been held in the state, which has the biggest Jewish community in the region. In last year, the South African government filed a lawsuit against the Israeli government with the International Court of Justice, charging it of mass killing in Gaza. Israel has firmly denied the South African claim, calling it "unsubstantiated".