🔗 Share this article The South African government to Examine Baffling Landing of Aircraft Transporting Palestinians from the Gaza Strip Roughly 23 individuals have subsequently moved on to different destinations, government representatives state South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a probe will be launched into the mysterious arrival of a private aircraft carrying 153 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip into the territory. Initial Admission Rejection The passengers touched down at OR Tambo International Airport but were originally blocked from entering and remained in the aircraft for over 10 hours as they "lacked the usual passport endorsements in their passports", government officials stated. Most were eventually allowed in after support from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the administration's "compassion [and] compassion", Ramaphosa said. The particulars of their departure from the Gaza Strip and travel to South Africa remain unclear. International Background The nation has continued consistent advocacy for the Palestinian struggle amid the conflict between the Hamas organization and Israel in the Gaza Strip. Ramaphosa stated the group "somehow mysteriously were boarded a plane that passed by Nairobi" and flew to the country. "These individuals left the Gaza territory after receiving authorization from a foreign nation to accept them," declared an defense organization that manages Gaza's crossings. Diplomatic Comment Based on the Palestinian embassy in the nation, the group left Israel's Ramon Airport and traveled to the state via the Nairobi, "without any previous coordination or planning". A declaration from the diplomatic mission stated "a non-official and false entity [had] taken advantage of the difficult humanitarian conditions of our citizens in the Gaza Strip, tricked households, received funds from them, and organized their journey in an irregular and reckless way". Current Status Of the 153 travelers, 23 were able to travel to different destinations, with 130 who were granted entry into the country, South African authorities say. Ramaphosa, talking during an function in the city, stated he was made aware of the unfolding situation by the interior official. In response, the president said "we must not send them away", per domestic news. "While they are without the necessary identification and documents, these are people from a strife-torn, a violence-plagued country," he continued. Official Action The head of state also informed reporters the South African government would carry out a "thorough review" of the situation and notify the citizens on "current developments and how this case developed as it stands", as stated by government television. Interior Official Leon Schreiber said that while individuals with Palestinian documents qualified for 90-day visa-free entry to South Africa, the lack of passport endorsements, return tickets or residence details in certain of the individuals' papers caused the first refusal to let them into the nation. Once it was confirmed that the absence of this data "did not indicate that the passengers wanted to seek refugee status" and their housing was confirmed, they were allowed in. "All of the individuals are in holding of current identification papers and, currently, zero of them have sought protection," he said. Humanitarian Response South African charity has announced it will provide the travelers with lodging in the nation. Civil societies in the country have called for examinations into the situation the Palestinians had fled in the Gaza Strip and the specific journey of the aircraft. One of the Palestinians who was interviewed by local media expressed his relief to be in the country, characterizing it as a land of "tranquility, rules and equity". "We traveled from the Gaza Strip where we've encountered death on daily basis. We have survived a hostilities of an extended period and we are blessed to be in this place," stated one man who had departed with his partner and two children. Complaints and Requests for Investigation The charity group has afterwards demanded Ramaphosa to look into the home affairs ministry and immigration officials for the "humiliation they've caused" the travelers. The foundation's director claimed this treatment involved being required to stay for an extended period on the runway at the airport, being denied food provided by the group and "utilizing all possible reasons in the manual to stop these individuals from leaving the plane". Traditional Backing The country has been sharply disapproving of the Israeli armed campaign in Gaza. The nation's support for the Palestinian struggle for an independent state dates back a long time, particularly the early 1990s when anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela pledged assistance for the Palestinian rights. Substantial in favor of Palestinian rights demonstrations have been held across the country since the war began. Smaller in favor of Israeli policies marches and events have been organized in the country, which contains the biggest Jewish residents in sub-Saharan Africa. In last year, the country's leadership lodged a case against the nation with the global judicial body, charging it of systematic destruction in Gaza. Israel has categorically refused the allegation, labeling it "without foundation".