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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that an investigation will be conducted into the mysterious arrival of a leased jet carrying 153 Palestinian nationals from the Gaza Strip into the territory.

Initial Access Denial

The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially refused entry and remained in the aircraft for more than 10 hours as they "did not have the standard departure stamps in their identification papers", local authorities confirmed.

Most were finally allowed in after assistance from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the government's "understanding [and] humanity", Ramaphosa remarked.

The details of their leaving from the Gaza Strip and journey to South Africa are still unknown.

Diplomatic Context

South Africa has upheld consistent advocacy for the Palestinian cause throughout the hostilities between Hamas and the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa stated the passengers "in some way unexplainably were placed aboard a aircraft that passed by Nairobi" and flew to the nation.

"The travelers left the Gaza territory after receiving approval from a another state to accept them," declared an defense organization that controls Gaza's border points.

Official Statement

Based on the diplomatic mission in South Africa, the travelers departed from a facility in Israel and flew to the country via the Kenyan capital, "without any advance notification or planning".

A statement from the official office claimed "a non-official and misleading group [had] taken advantage of the devastating living situation of our people in the Gaza Strip, tricked families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an unorthodox and irresponsible manner".

Latest Situation

From the 153 travelers, 23 succeeded to continue to different locations, leaving 130 who were granted entry into the country, national representatives say.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an event in the city, said he was informed of the developing crisis by the home affairs minister.

In reply, the president declared "we are unable to send them away", according to local media.

"Although they do not have the necessary identification and records, these are people from a war-ravaged, a battle-scarred nation," he added.

Administrative Action

The head of state also told journalists the national administration would perform a "comprehensive assessment" of the matter and notify the citizens on "what is happening and the way this matter developed in its current state", according to government television.

Government Representative Leon Schreiber commented that while individuals with Palestinian documents met requirements for 90-day no-visa entry to the nation, the lack of departure stamps, round-trip fares or residence details in certain of the travellers' records caused the first refusal to let them into the nation.

After it was confirmed that the non-presence of this details "did not indicate that the individuals intended to seek asylum" and their accommodation was confirmed, they were granted entry.

"All of the individuals are in possession of valid identification papers and, currently, zero of them have sought refuge," he said.

Aid Response

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

Non-governmental organizations in the nation have requested examinations into the circumstances the Palestinian nationals had left in the Gaza Strip and the precise route of the aircraft.

An individual of the travelers who spoke to South African news shared his thankfulness to be in the country, describing it as a country of "tranquility, regulations and equity".

"We arrived from Gaza where we've experienced death on daily basis. We have lived through a war of 24 months and we are blessed to be here," remarked one man who had departed with his wife and offspring.

Complaints and Demands for Action

The charity group has afterwards called for Ramaphosa to look into the government agency and border authority for the "humiliation they've caused" the travelers.

The group's founder claimed this handling consisted of being made to stay for hours on the tarmac at the airport, being refused food offered by the charity and "using all possible reasons in the guide to stop these travelers from leaving the plane".

Traditional Support

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

The nation's solidarity for the Palestinian fight for an self-governing country goes back many years, particularly the start of the last decade when national hero Nelson Mandela vowed support for the Palestinian struggle.

Significant pro-Palestinian protests have been conducted throughout the nation since the hostilities started.

Smaller in favor of Israeli policies marches and events have been held in the nation, which contains the most significant Jewish residents in the continent.

In last year, the country's leadership filed a lawsuit against the nation with the International Court of Justice, alleging it of mass killing in the Gaza Strip. Israel has categorically refused the allegation, calling it "without foundation".