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The nation's leader Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a probe will be launched into the unexplained landing of a private aircraft transporting 153 individuals from Palestine from the Gaza Strip into the territory.

Initial Admission Denial

The group landed at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially denied admission and were forced to stay in the aircraft for over 10 hours as they "lacked the standard passport endorsements in their travel documents", government officials stated.

Most were eventually granted entry after support from a South African aid group and because of the administration's "compassion [and] sympathy", Ramaphosa stated.

The circumstances of their departure from Gaza and journey to South Africa continue to be mysterious.

Political Context

The nation has maintained consistent advocacy for the Palestinian rights amid the conflict between the Hamas organization and Israel in Gaza.

Ramaphosa said the travelers "through unknown means mysteriously were put on a aircraft that stopped in Nairobi" and continued to the nation.

"These individuals departed from the Palestinian enclave after obtaining authorization from a foreign nation to welcome them," announced an government agency that controls Gaza's crossings.

Embassy Comment

According to the official representation in the nation, the group exited an Israeli airport and flew to the state via the Nairobi, "without any prior note or planning".

A statement from the embassy claimed "a non-official and deceptive organization [had] exploited the devastating humanitarian conditions of our people in Gaza, misled households, collected money from them, and arranged their journey in an unorthodox and irresponsible way".

Latest Status

Among the 153 travelers, 23 managed to travel to alternative locations, resulting in 130 who were granted entry into the country, national representatives report.

Ramaphosa, talking during an event in the city, stated he was informed of the developing issue by the interior official.

In reaction, the president declared "we are unable to send them away", according to domestic news.

"While they do not have the required identification and records, these are individuals from a conflict-ridden, a violence-plagued land," he added.

Government Action

The leader also stated to journalists the national administration would conduct a "thorough assessment" of the matter and inform the citizens on "ongoing events and how this case developed where it is", as stated by national media.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber stated that while individuals with Palestinian documents were eligible for 90-day visa-free admission to South Africa, the absence of passport endorsements, homeward journeys or accommodation addresses in certain of the travellers' records resulted in the original refusal to permit their entry to the country.

After it was determined that the absence of this details "was not evidence that the passengers wanted to request protection" and their accommodation was established, they were permitted to enter.

"Each of the travellers are in ownership of current identification papers and, now, none of them have requested refuge," he said.

Support Response

Domestic aid group has stated it will offer the passengers with housing in the country.

Community groups in the nation have requested inquiries into the conditions the Palestinian nationals had escaped in the Gaza Strip and the specific journey of the jet.

An individual of the Palestinians who communicated with local media expressed his relief to be in South Africa, portraying it as a nation of "peace, laws and equity".

"We traveled from Gaza where we've experienced death on every day. We have endured a war of an extended period and we are blessed to be in this place," remarked a male passenger who had departed with his partner and kids.

Criticism and Demands for Investigation

The humanitarian organization has afterwards requested Ramaphosa to investigate the interior department and immigration officials for the "embarrassment they've inflicted" the travelers.

The foundation's founder said this treatment consisted of being made to wait for a long time on the tarmac at the terminal, being refused food provided by the charity and "utilizing every excuse in the guide to stop these passengers from leaving the plane".

Traditional Support

South Africa has been strongly opposed of the Israeli armed campaign in the Gaza Strip.

The country's support for the Palestinian struggle for an self-governing country dates back many years, notably the start of the last decade when historical figure Nelson Mandela committed assistance for the Palestinian rights.

Substantial pro-Palestinian marches have been conducted across the country since the conflict began.

Less numerous in favor of Israeli policies rallies and events have been conducted in the state, which hosts the largest Jewish population in the continent.

In the previous year, the country's leadership filed a lawsuit against the nation with the International Court of Justice, accusing it of mass killing in the Gaza Strip. Israel has firmly denied the allegation, calling it "unsubstantiated".