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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that a probe will be conducted into the mysterious arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip into the territory.

Primary Entry Rejection

The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially refused entry and were stuck in the jet for over 10 hours as they "did not have the standard departure stamps in their passports", government officials confirmed.

Most were finally permitted to enter after intervention from a local charity and because of the government's "empathy [and] humanity", Ramaphosa said.

The details of their exit from the Gaza Strip and travel to the country continue to be mysterious.

International Background

The country has maintained strong support for the Palestinian rights amid the hostilities between Hamas and the Israeli government in Gaza.

Ramaphosa said the travelers "somehow unexplainably were put on a plane that traveled through Nairobi" and flew to South Africa.

"The residents departed from the Gaza Strip after securing approval from a another state to accept them," declared an government agency that manages Gaza's crossings.

Embassy Statement

According to the diplomatic mission in the country, the group left a facility in Israel and flew to the country via the Kenyan capital, "lacking previous coordination or coordination".

A declaration from the official office said "an unregistered and deceptive organization [had] taken advantage of the tragic living situation of our people in Gaza, deceived individuals, received funds from them, and facilitated their journey in an irregular and irresponsible way".

Current Status

From the 153 individuals, 23 managed to travel to different locations, resulting in 130 who were granted entry into the nation, government officials say.

Ramaphosa, addressing during an function in the city, mentioned he was notified of the unfolding situation by the interior official.

In reply, the president stated "we must not refuse them", as reported by South African reporting.

"Even though they are without the appropriate identification and documents, these are individuals from a war-ravaged, a war-torn nation," he remarked.

Administrative Action

The head of state also stated to reporters the national administration would carry out a "comprehensive assessment" of the issue and update the public on "current developments and the way this matter came to be in its current state", as stated by national media.

Interior Official Leon Schreiber commented that while individuals with Palestinian documents qualified for 90-day visa-exempt entry to the nation, the lack of departure stamps, homeward journeys or residence details in various of the travellers' records caused the initial rejection to let them into the nation.

Once it was confirmed that the lack of this information "did not suggest that the individuals wished to seek protection" and their housing was established, they were permitted to enter.

"Each of the passengers are in ownership of valid passports and, currently, zero of them have requested protection," he confirmed.

Support Response

South African charity has said it will supply the travelers with accommodation in the territory.

Civil societies in the nation have called for examinations into the conditions the individuals had fled in the Gaza Strip and the exact route of the jet.

One of the travelers who communicated with domestic television expressed his relief to be in the country, portraying it as a country of "peace, laws and justice".

"We traveled from Gaza where we've encountered death on regularly. We have lived through a conflict of two years and we are lucky to be in this place," remarked a male passenger who had escaped with his wife and kids.

Criticism and Requests for Accountability

The charity group has subsequently called for Ramaphosa to investigate the home affairs ministry and immigration officials for the "embarrassment they've created" the travelers.

The foundation's director stated this conduct consisted of being required to stay for an extended period on the airport area at the terminal, being refused food provided by the charity and "using all possible reasons in the book to prevent these travelers from exiting the aircraft".

Traditional Advocacy

South Africa has been highly critical of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

The country's support for the Palestinian struggle for an self-governing country extends a long time, particularly the early 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela committed support for the Palestinian cause.

Significant supporting Palestine protests have been held throughout the country since the war started.

More limited supporting Israel marches and rallies have been organized in the nation, which has the biggest Jewish population in the continent.

In 2023, the national administration filed a case against the Israeli government with the global judicial body, charging it of systematic destruction in Gaza. The nation has firmly denied the South African claim, labeling it "without foundation".