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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a probe will be initiated into the unexplained arrival of a leased jet transporting 153 individuals from Palestine from Gaza into the nation.

Initial Admission Refusal

The passengers touched down at OR Tambo International Airport but were originally refused entry and remained in the aircraft for over 10 hours as they "did not have the usual departure stamps in their travel documents", local authorities reported.

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

The particulars of their exit from the Gaza Strip and flight to South Africa remain unclear.

Political Context

South Africa has maintained consistent advocacy for the Palestinian rights amid the hostilities between the Hamas organization and the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa commented the travelers "through unknown means puzzlingly were put on a aircraft that traveled through Nairobi" and flew to South Africa.

"These individuals left the Gaza territory after obtaining clearance from a third country to accept them," announced an government agency that manages Gaza's entry-exit locations.

Official Declaration

Per the official representation in South Africa, the travelers departed from a facility in Israel and journeyed to the state via the Kenya's main city, "lacking prior note or planning".

A statement from the official office said "a non-official and deceptive entity [had] taken advantage of the devastating living situation of our people in the Gaza Strip, deceived households, collected money from them, and organized their travel in an unorthodox and irresponsible manner".

Current Circumstances

From the 153 travelers, 23 managed to continue to alternative destinations, resulting in 130 who were allowed into the nation, South African authorities confirm.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an gathering in the city, mentioned he was made aware of the developing situation by the government representative.

In reaction, the president stated "we must not turn them back", per domestic news.

"Even though they are without the necessary papers and records, these are people from a conflict-ridden, a war-torn country," he remarked.

Official Action

The head of state also stated to reporters the country's leadership would conduct a "comprehensive review" of the situation and update the public on "ongoing events and the manner in which this situation occurred as it stands", as stated by national media.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said that while individuals with Palestinian documents met requirements for 90-day visa-exempt admission to the country, the lack of departure stamps, round-trip fares or housing locations in some of the travellers' papers caused the initial denial to allow them into the country.

Once it was established that the lack of this information "did not suggest that the passengers wished to seek refugee status" and their lodging was confirmed, they were granted entry.

"Every one of the passengers are in possession of legitimate passports and, at present, zero of them have sought asylum," he stated.

Aid Efforts

South African charity has announced it will provide the travelers with accommodation in the territory.

Non-governmental organizations in South Africa have demanded inquiries into the circumstances the Palestinians had fled in Gaza and the specific path of the plane.

One of the Palestinian nationals who was interviewed by domestic television voiced his gratitude to be in the nation, characterizing it as a land of "peace, rules and equity".

"We came from Gaza where we've faced danger 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 kids.

Complaints and Requests for Accountability

The aid foundation has since demanded Ramaphosa to examine the home affairs ministry and customs service for the "humiliation they've created" the travelers.

The group's director claimed this handling included being forced to stay for hours on the airport area at the airport, being refused food provided by the group and "utilizing every excuse in the book to stop these individuals from exiting the aircraft".

Traditional Backing

The nation has been highly critical of the nation's defense actions in Gaza.

The state's solidarity for the Palestinian struggle for an sovereign nation extends many years, notably the start of the last decade when historical figure Nelson Mandela pledged assistance for the Palestinian rights.

Large pro-Palestinian protests have been conducted around the nation since the war commenced.

Less numerous supporting Israel rallies and rallies have been held in the nation, which contains the largest Jewish community in sub-Saharan Africa.

In the previous year, the South African government filed a lawsuit against the nation with the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in Gaza. The nation has firmly denied the allegation, labeling it "baseless".