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The nation's leader Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a probe will be conducted into the unexplained appearance of a leased jet carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza into the country.

Primary Access Refusal

The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially blocked from entering and remained in the plane for over 10 hours as they "did not have the customary passport endorsements in their travel documents", airport representatives reported.

A large portion were finally allowed in after intervention from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the leadership's "empathy [and] sympathy", Ramaphosa said.

The circumstances of their departure from Gaza and flight to the country are still unknown.

Political Background

The nation has maintained strong support for the Palestinian struggle during the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

Ramaphosa stated the group "somehow unexplainably were put on a aircraft that passed by Nairobi" and traveled to the nation.

"The residents exited the Gaza Strip after receiving approval from a another state to welcome them," announced an Israeli military body that manages Gaza's border points.

Embassy Comment

Based on the Palestinian embassy in South Africa, the passengers exited a facility in Israel and journeyed to the state via the Kenyan capital, "lacking prior note or arrangement".

A announcement from the official office stated "a non-official and misleading organization [had] exploited the devastating humanitarian conditions of our citizens in the Gaza Strip, deceived families, received funds from them, and organized their journey in an unorthodox and irresponsible way".

Current Situation

From the 153 travelers, 23 were able to fly on to different places, leaving 130 who were admitted into the territory, national representatives confirm.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an gathering in Johannesburg, mentioned he was informed of the ongoing situation by the home affairs minister.

In reply, the president said "we are unable to turn them back", as reported by local media.

"Even though they are without the appropriate papers and records, these are individuals from a war-ravaged, a battle-scarred land," he added.

Official Response

The president also told journalists the national administration would conduct a "proper assessment" of the matter and notify the people on "current developments and the manner in which this situation came to be in its current state", according to public broadcaster.

Interior Official Leon Schreiber said that while individuals with Palestinian documents qualified for 90-day visa-free entry to the country, the non-existence of exit markings, return tickets or residence details in certain of the passengers' records led to the first denial to permit their entry to the country.

When it was established that the lack of this details "did not indicate that the travellers wished to seek refugee status" and their accommodation was verified, they were allowed in.

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

Support Efforts

South African charity has announced it will supply the group with housing in the country.

Community groups in South Africa have demanded investigations into the situation the individuals had fled in Gaza and the precise journey of the plane.

One of the Palestinians who was interviewed by South African news expressed his relief to be in South Africa, portraying it as a land of "harmony, regulations and justice".

"We arrived from Gaza where we've faced mortality on regularly. We have endured a conflict of two years and we are blessed to be in South Africa," stated an individual who had departed with his wife and two children.

Concerns and Demands for Accountability

The aid foundation has since requested Ramaphosa to look into the interior department and immigration officials for the "humiliation they've caused" the travelers.

The foundation's founder said this conduct included being forced to wait for hours on the tarmac at the facility, being refused food provided by the organization and "employing all possible reasons in the guide to stop these travelers from leaving the plane".

Traditional Backing

South Africa has been strongly opposed of the nation's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

The nation's support for the Palestinian struggle for an self-governing country extends decades, especially the start of the last decade when national hero Nelson Mandela pledged support for the Palestinian cause.

Large pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been organized across South Africa since the conflict started.

Smaller in favor of Israeli policies rallies and events have been conducted in the nation, which hosts the most significant Jewish population in sub-Saharan Africa.

In last year, the country's leadership submitted a case against Israel with the International Court of Justice, accusing it of systematic destruction in Gaza. The nation has strongly rejected the allegation, labeling it "without foundation".