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

First Admission Refusal

The travelers arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were originally denied admission and were stuck in the aircraft for over 10 hours as they "were missing the usual exit markings in their passports", local authorities reported.

The majority were ultimately granted entry after assistance from a South African aid group and because of the leadership's "empathy [and] sympathy", Ramaphosa stated.

The particulars of their exit from Gaza and journey to the country remain unclear.

Diplomatic Context

The country has upheld strong support for the Palestinian cause amid the hostilities between the Hamas organization and the Israeli government in Gaza.

Ramaphosa commented the group "somehow puzzlingly were placed aboard a plane that passed by Nairobi" and flew to the nation.

"The travelers departed from the Palestinian enclave after securing authorization from a third country to welcome them," announced an defense organization that oversees Gaza's crossings.

Diplomatic Comment

According to the diplomatic mission in the country, the group exited Israel's Ramon Airport and flew to the country via the Nairobi, "lacking previous coordination or arrangement".

A declaration from the official office said "an unauthorized and misleading organization [had] used the difficult living situation of our citizens in Gaza, misled individuals, received funds from them, and facilitated their journey in an unorthodox and reckless fashion".

Current Status

Of the 153 travelers, 23 succeeded to travel to alternative locations, resulting in 130 who were granted entry into the territory, government officials confirm.

Ramaphosa, talking during an event in Johannesburg, mentioned he was informed of the ongoing crisis by the interior official.

In response, the leader declared "we are unable to send them away", per local media.

"Although they lack the necessary identification and documents, these are people from a conflict-ridden, a war-torn land," he remarked.

Official Action

The leader also stated to journalists the national administration would carry out a "thorough review" of the situation and inform the public on "ongoing events and the manner in which this case occurred in its current state", according to government television.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber stated that while Palestinian passport-holders qualified for 90-day visa-exempt access to the nation, the lack of exit markings, homeward journeys or residence details in various of the individuals' records led to the first refusal to allow them into the country.

Once it was confirmed that the absence of this details "did not suggest that the travellers intended to seek asylum" and their housing was established, they were allowed in.

"All of the individuals are in holding of current passports and, at present, not one of them have requested refuge," he confirmed.

Aid Response

Local humanitarian organization has stated it will provide the travelers with housing in the territory.

Non-governmental organizations in the country have called for investigations into the circumstances the Palestinians had fled in the Gaza Strip and the exact route of the aircraft.

One of the Palestinian nationals who communicated with local media voiced his gratitude to be in the nation, characterizing it as a nation of "peace, laws and fairness".

"We arrived from Gaza where we've faced death on regularly. We have endured a hostilities of 24 months and we are blessed to be in South Africa," remarked a male passenger who had fled with his partner and offspring.

Criticism and Requests for Accountability

The aid foundation has afterwards demanded Ramaphosa to investigate the interior department and customs service for the "embarrassment they've caused" the Palestinian nationals.

The group's founder claimed this conduct consisted of being made to remain for hours on the runway at the airport, being prevented from receiving nourishment offered by the charity and "employing all possible reasons in the guide to prevent these passengers from exiting the aircraft".

Historical Support

The nation has been highly critical of the Israeli armed campaign in Gaza.

The nation's sympathy for the Palestinian fight for an independent state goes back many years, particularly the early 1990s when national hero Nelson Mandela pledged support for the Palestinian cause.

Substantial in favor of Palestinian rights protests have been conducted around the country since the war began.

More limited supporting Israel marches and rallies have been held in the state, which contains the most significant Jewish community in the continent.

In the previous year, the South African government lodged a lawsuit against Israel with the world court, alleging it of mass killing in Gaza. The Israeli government has firmly denied the South African claim, calling it "baseless".