South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced an investigation into the mysterious arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza into the country. The group landed at OR Tambo International Airport but was initially refused entry, remaining aboard the aircraft for over 10 hours due to the absence of customary exit stamps in their passports.
Most passengers were eventually permitted entry after intervention from a local charity and an appeal to the government’s compassion, according to Ramaphosa. The exact circumstances surrounding their departure from Gaza and the path taken to South Africa remain unclear.
Ramaphosa remarked that these individuals were traveling from a war-torn region, stating, We cannot turn them back even though they lacked necessary documentation. Following their admission to South Africa, 23 of the passengers went on to other destinations, leaving 130 behind.
Israeli military authority Cogat indicated that prior approval from a third country facilitated the Palestinians' departure from Gaza, though they did not specify which country. Reports from the Palestinian embassy in South Africa pointed to the group leaving from Israel's Ramon Airport and traveling via Nairobi without prior coordination.
Civil society groups in South Africa have called for clarification regarding the conditions that drove these Palestinians to flee and what occurred during their journey. Gift of the Givers, a local charity, has promised to assist them with accommodation. Ramaphosa announced that a full evaluation of the incident would be conducted, signaling the government’s ongoing engagement with the Palestinian cause amidst heightened scrutiny of South Africa's involvement in the Middle East conflict.
