South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that there will be an investigation into the mysterious arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza into the country.
The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but initially faced refusal of entry and were held on the plane for more than 10 hours due to lacking customary departure stamps in their passports, according to local authorities.
Most passengers were ultimately permitted entry following intervention from local charity organizations, with Ramaphosa citing the government's empathy and compassion as key factors in this decision.
The circumstances surrounding their departure from Gaza and travel to South Africa remain ambiguous.
Ramaphosa highlighted that South Africa has historically supported the Palestinian cause amid ongoing conflicts, explaining that the group somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi before arriving in South Africa, according to reports.
In a statement, the Israeli military body Cogat, which oversees Gaza's crossings, noted that the residents were given approval by a third country for their exit.
The Palestinian embassy in South Africa clarified that the group departed from Israel's Ramon Airport and flew via Nairobi to South Africa without any prior notice or coordination. They stated that an unregistered organization exploited the difficult humanitarian conditions in Gaza, misleading families and facilitating their irregular travel.
Of the 153 who arrived, 130 were allowed to stay in South Africa while 23 flew on to other destinations.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber explained that Palestinian passport-holders usually have visa-exempt access to South Africa for 90 days, but the lack of departure stamps and return tickets caused the initial entry denial. After confirming their accommodation and that they did not intend to apply for asylum, the group was granted entry.
In response to their situation at the airport, South African charity Gift of the Givers offered to provide housing for the Palestinians.
Public scrutiny continues regarding the conditions that led to their flight from Gaza and the actual route taken, with civil society groups calling for thorough investigations.
One of the passengers expressed gratitude for their arrival in South Africa, describing it as a land of peace, laws, and justice after escaping a war-torn environment in Gaza.
Gift of the Givers has urged President Ramaphosa to investigate potential mistreatment by the home affairs ministry and border authority over the delay and lack of access to basic provisions during their wait.
South Africa's history of advocating for Palestinians dates back decades and became notably prominent during the anti-apartheid movement. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have proliferated since the onset of recent conflicts, although smaller pro-Israel demonstrations have also occurred, particularly in a nation harboring the largest Jewish community in sub-Saharan Africa.
The South African government is currently pursuing a case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, accusing them of genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel has dismissed as unfounded.
