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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that an investigation will be initiated into the puzzling arrival of a private aircraft carrying 153 Palestinian nationals from Gaza into the country.

First Admission Denial

The passengers touched down at OR Tambo International Airport but were originally denied admission and were stuck in the aircraft for in excess of 10 hours as they "did not have the usual exit markings in their passports", airport representatives stated.

Most were finally allowed in after support from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the administration's "understanding [and] compassion", Ramaphosa remarked.

The circumstances of their leaving from the Gaza Strip and journey to South Africa continue to be mysterious.

International Background

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

Ramaphosa said the group "through unknown means unexplainably were placed aboard a jet that traveled through Nairobi" and continued to South Africa.

"The residents departed from the Palestinian enclave after obtaining approval from a another state to welcome them," stated an Israeli military body that controls Gaza's crossings.

Embassy Declaration

According to the Palestinian embassy in the nation, the group departed from an Israeli airport and flew to the nation via the Kenya's main city, "absent previous coordination or planning".

A statement from the embassy said "an unregistered and deceptive entity [had] exploited the difficult humanitarian conditions of our citizens in the Gaza Strip, deceived individuals, took payments from them, and organized their travel in an irregular and reckless way".

Latest Circumstances

From the 153 passengers, 23 managed to travel to alternative places, with 130 who were granted entry into the territory, South African authorities report.

Ramaphosa, addressing during an event in the urban center, said he was informed of the unfolding crisis by the interior official.

In reply, the leader declared "we are unable to refuse them", according to local media.

"Even though they do not have the appropriate identification and documents, these are individuals from a conflict-ridden, a war-torn nation," he continued.

Government Measures

The president also informed journalists the national administration would conduct a "comprehensive review" of the matter and update the people on "ongoing events and the way this case came to be in its current state", per national media.

Interior Official Leon Schreiber said that while individuals with Palestinian documents were eligible for 90-day visa-free entry to the nation, the non-existence of departure stamps, return tickets or accommodation addresses in some of the individuals' papers caused the first denial to allow them into the country.

After it was confirmed that the non-presence of this data "was not evidence that the passengers intended to request protection" and their housing was established, they were allowed in.

"Each of the passengers are in ownership of current identification papers and, at present, zero of them have requested refuge," he confirmed.

Humanitarian Assistance

Local humanitarian organization has said it will offer the group with lodging in the country.

Community groups in South Africa have requested investigations into the circumstances the individuals had fled in the Gaza Strip and the exact route of the jet.

One of the Palestinian nationals who was interviewed by local media shared his thankfulness to be in the country, characterizing it as a land of "tranquility, laws and equity".

"We arrived from Gaza where we've encountered death on every day. We have endured a conflict of two years and we are lucky to be in South Africa," remarked one man who had fled with his partner and offspring.

Complaints and Requests for Investigation

The charity group has subsequently requested Ramaphosa to investigate the government agency and border authority for the "disrespect they've caused" the Palestinian nationals.

The group's founder stated this treatment included being required to stay for hours on the airport area at the airport, being denied food offered by the charity and "using various justifications in the book to prevent these travelers from exiting the aircraft".

Long-standing Advocacy

The nation has been sharply disapproving of the nation's defense actions in Gaza.

The state's support for the Palestinian fight for an sovereign nation goes back decades, notably the start of the last decade when anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela committed support for the Palestinian struggle.

Significant pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been conducted around the country since the war began.

Smaller supporting Israel marches and rallies have been organized in the country, which hosts the biggest Jewish community in the region.

In 2023, the national administration lodged a lawsuit against Israel with the world court, accusing it of mass killing in Gaza. Israel has firmly denied the South African claim, calling it "baseless".