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The nation's leader Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that an investigation will be conducted into the unexplained appearance of a chartered plane bringing 153 Palestinian nationals from the Gaza Strip into the country.

First Entry Refusal

The passengers landed at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially blocked from entering and were stuck in the aircraft for over 10 hours as they "lacked the customary exit markings in their passports", local authorities reported.

Most were finally allowed in after intervention from a South African aid group and because of the government's "understanding [and] sympathy", Ramaphosa stated.

The particulars of their departure from Gaza and journey to the country are still unknown.

Political Context

The nation has continued strong support for the Palestinian rights amid the conflict between Hamas and the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa commented the group "somehow puzzlingly were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi" and continued to South Africa.

"The travelers exited the Palestinian enclave after obtaining clearance from a foreign nation to receive them," declared an Israeli military body that controls Gaza's crossings.

Diplomatic Comment

Per the diplomatic mission in the country, the passengers left Israel's Ramon Airport and flew to the country via the Kenya's main city, "absent prior note or planning".

A statement from the official office stated "a non-official and deceptive group [had] used the devastating circumstances of our people in the Gaza Strip, deceived families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an improper and irresponsible manner".

Latest Situation

Of the 153 passengers, 23 succeeded to travel to other destinations, resulting in 130 who were admitted into the nation, national representatives confirm.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an event in the city, stated he was informed of the ongoing situation by the government representative.

In reaction, the leader stated "we cannot turn them back", according to local media.

"While they lack the required documents and records, these are persons from a war-ravaged, a violence-plagued land," he remarked.

Government Response

The leader also informed reporters the national administration would perform a "thorough assessment" of the situation and notify the public on "ongoing events and the way this case developed in its current state", as stated by national media.

Interior Official Leon Schreiber stated that while travelers from Palestine qualified for 90-day visa-free entry to the nation, the absence of exit markings, return tickets or accommodation addresses in certain of the individuals' documentation resulted in the original rejection to allow them into the country.

After it was determined that the non-presence of this information "did not suggest that the passengers wanted to request protection" and their accommodation was confirmed, they were permitted to enter.

"All of the passengers are in ownership of valid travel documents and, now, zero of them have requested asylum," he stated.

Aid Response

Domestic aid group has said it will provide the passengers with accommodation in the territory.

Non-governmental organizations in the nation have requested inquiries into the circumstances the individuals had left in Gaza and the specific path of the plane.

An individual of the travelers who communicated with local media expressed his relief to be in the nation, portraying it as a country of "tranquility, laws and justice".

"We arrived from the Gaza Strip where we've faced death on every day. We have lived through a hostilities of two years and we are lucky to be in this place," remarked a male passenger who had departed with his wife and kids.

Complaints and Requests for Investigation

The humanitarian organization has afterwards demanded Ramaphosa to investigate the interior department and border authority for the "humiliation they've inflicted" the Palestinian nationals.

The group's founder stated this handling involved being made to remain for an extended period on the runway at the facility, being denied meals supplied by the organization and "employing various justifications in the manual to prevent these individuals from disembarking".

Historical Advocacy

The nation has been sharply disapproving of Israel's armed campaign in the Gaza Strip.

The state's sympathy for the Palestinian fight for an independent state goes back decades, especially the start of the last decade when national hero Nelson Mandela vowed support for the Palestinian cause.

Significant supporting Palestine protests have been organized around the nation since the conflict began.

More limited in favor of Israeli policies marches and gatherings have been conducted in the nation, which hosts the biggest Jewish community in the region.

In last year, the national administration lodged a lawsuit against Israel with the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in Gaza. The nation has firmly denied the South African claim, calling it "unsubstantiated".