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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that an inquiry will be launched into the mysterious landing of a leased jet bringing 153 Palestinian nationals from Gaza into the territory.

Initial Access Denial

The passengers arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were at first refused entry and were stuck in the aircraft for in excess of 10 hours as they "were missing the usual departure stamps in their passports", local authorities stated.

Most were eventually granted entry after intervention from a South African aid group and because of the leadership's "empathy [and] compassion", Ramaphosa remarked.

The circumstances of their departure from the Gaza Strip and travel to the nation are still unknown.

Political Background

South Africa has continued consistent advocacy for the Palestinian cause during the hostilities between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

Ramaphosa commented the travelers "in some way puzzlingly were boarded a plane that traveled through Nairobi" and flew to the country.

"The residents left the Gaza territory after receiving approval from a third country to receive them," declared an defense organization that controls Gaza's crossings.

Embassy Declaration

According to the Palestinian embassy in the nation, the group left a facility in Israel and flew to the state via the Kenyan capital, "lacking advance notification or coordination".

A declaration from the official office claimed "an unauthorized and deceptive organization [had] used the tragic humanitarian conditions of our citizens in the Gaza Strip, misled households, received funds from them, and arranged their movement in an irregular and careless manner".

Current Situation

Of the 153 individuals, 23 succeeded to fly on to other locations, with 130 who were admitted into the territory, South African authorities say.

Ramaphosa, talking during an event in the city, stated he was notified of the ongoing issue by the home affairs minister.

In reaction, the leader said "we must not turn them back", as reported by local media.

"Although they lack the appropriate identification and records, these are individuals from a war-ravaged, a battle-scarred land," he added.

Government Measures

The leader also told media representatives the South African government would perform a "proper evaluation" of the situation and inform the citizens on "what is happening and how this situation came to be as it stands", as stated by government television.

Interior Official Leon Schreiber stated that while Palestinian passport-holders met requirements for 90-day no-visa access to the nation, the absence of passport endorsements, return tickets or accommodation addresses in some of the travellers' documentation resulted in the first refusal to allow them into the country.

Once it was confirmed that the absence of this data "did not suggest that the individuals intended to apply for refugee status" and their lodging was confirmed, they were permitted to enter.

"Each of the individuals are in ownership of valid travel documents and, now, none of them have applied for asylum," he stated.

Humanitarian Assistance

Domestic aid group has stated it will provide the group with lodging in the country.

Civil societies in South Africa have demanded investigations into the situation the Palestinian nationals had fled in the Gaza Strip and the precise path of the aircraft.

One of the Palestinians who communicated with local media shared his relief to be in the country, characterizing it as a land of "tranquility, regulations and fairness".

"We traveled from the Gaza Strip where we've faced mortality on regularly. We have endured a hostilities of an extended period and we are blessed to be in South Africa," stated an individual who had departed with his wife and offspring.

Criticism and Requests for Investigation

The charity group has afterwards requested Ramaphosa to investigate the interior department and customs service for the "disrespect they've caused" the Palestinians.

The organization's director said this treatment included being required to wait for a long time on the airport area at the facility, being denied nourishment offered by the group and "utilizing all possible reasons in the book to prevent these individuals from exiting the aircraft".

Traditional Backing

The nation has been strongly opposed of the nation's military operation in Gaza.

The state's sympathy for the Palestinian struggle for an sovereign nation extends a long time, particularly the start of the last decade when historical figure Nelson Mandela committed assistance for the Palestinian struggle.

Substantial supporting Palestine demonstrations have been organized across South Africa since the conflict began.

Smaller pro-Israel rallies and events have been organized in the nation, which hosts the most significant Jewish community in sub-Saharan Africa.

In the previous year, the country's leadership submitted a lawsuit against the Israeli government with the International Court of Justice, charging it of mass killing in the Gaza Strip. Israel has firmly denied the allegation, calling it "baseless".