South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says there will be an investigation into the mysterious arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza into the country.
The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially refused entry and were stuck in the plane for more than 10 hours as they did not have the customary departure stamps in their passports, local authorities said.
Most were eventually allowed in after intervention from a local charity and because of the government's empathy [and] compassion, Ramaphosa said.
The circumstances of their departure from Gaza and travel to South Africa remain unclear.
South Africa has maintained strong support for the Palestinian cause throughout the war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.
Ramaphosa said the group somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi and flew to South Africa, reports the News24 site.
Israeli military body Cogat, which controls Gaza's crossings, stated that the residents left the Gaza Strip after approval from a third country to receive them, but did not specify which country.
According to the Palestinian embassy in South Africa, the group left Israel's Ramon Airport and flew to the country via the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, without prior notice or coordination.
A statement from the embassy claimed that an unregistered and misleading organization [had] exploited the tragic humanitarian conditions of our people in Gaza, misleading families, collecting money, and facilitating their irregular travel.
Of the 153, 23 managed to fly on to other destinations, leaving 130 who were admitted into the country, South African authorities said.
Ramaphosa, speaking during an event in Johannesburg, stated that he was informed of the unfolding crisis by the home affairs minister and declared, we cannot turn them back.
Even though the travellers lacked necessary documentation, he emphasized, these are people from a strife-torn, a war-torn country.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber revealed that Palestinian passport holders qualify for 90-day visa-exempt access to South Africa, but the absence of departure stamps and accommodation details resulted in initial entry refusal.
The group has received support from the South African charity Gift of the Givers, which will provide them with accommodation in the country.
Civil society organizations have called for an investigation into the conditions that led the Palestinians to flee Gaza and the aircraft's route.
One Palestinian expressed relief at arriving in South Africa, describing it as a country of peace, laws and justice, having escaped daily threats to life in Gaza.
Gift of the Givers has urged an investigation into the home affairs ministry for the treatment suffered by the Palestinians.
South Africa has been vocal in its opposition to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and has shown historical support for the Palestinian quest for independence.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have escalated across the country since the recent conflict began, reflecting the nation's long-standing political stance.
In 2023, South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel has dismissed as baseless.
