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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that an investigation will be launched into the mysterious arrival of a private aircraft carrying 153 Palestinian nationals from Gaza into the country.

First Access Refusal

The travelers arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were originally blocked from entering and remained in the aircraft for more than 10 hours as they "were missing the usual exit markings in their passports", government officials confirmed.

Most were finally granted entry after intervention from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the administration's "compassion [and] compassion", Ramaphosa stated.

The circumstances of their leaving from Gaza and journey to the country remain unclear.

International Background

South Africa has upheld consistent advocacy for the Palestinian struggle throughout the conflict between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa commented the passengers "somehow unexplainably were put on a jet that traveled through Nairobi" and continued to the country.

"The travelers left the Gaza Strip after obtaining clearance from a third country to receive them," declared an Israeli military body that controls Gaza's border points.

Diplomatic Comment

Per the Palestinian embassy in the country, the group departed from Israel's Ramon Airport and journeyed to the country via the Kenyan capital, "absent prior note or arrangement".

A declaration from the official office stated "an unregistered and misleading group [had] exploited the devastating circumstances of our citizens in Gaza, deceived households, took payments from them, and facilitated their movement in an irregular and irresponsible manner".

Current Situation

Among the 153 travelers, 23 managed to travel to other destinations, resulting in 130 who were allowed into the country, government officials report.

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

In reply, the head of state said "we cannot send them away", according to domestic news.

"While they lack the required papers and documents, these are people from a conflict-ridden, a violence-plagued nation," he continued.

Government Measures

The leader also stated to media representatives the national administration would perform a "thorough review" of the issue and notify the citizens on "current developments and how this matter developed in its current state", as stated by national media.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said that while individuals with Palestinian documents qualified for 90-day visa-exempt access to the country, the lack of departure stamps, return tickets or accommodation addresses in some of the travellers' papers caused the initial rejection to permit their entry to the territory.

Once it was confirmed that the non-presence of this data "was not evidence that the travellers intended to apply for refugee status" and their housing was confirmed, they were permitted to enter.

"Each of the individuals are in possession of valid passports and, now, zero of them have sought protection," he said.

Support Response

South African charity has said it will provide the passengers with lodging in the country.

Non-governmental organizations in the country have called for investigations into the circumstances the individuals had escaped in Gaza and the specific path of the aircraft.

A single of the travelers who was interviewed by South African news expressed his relief to be in the nation, portraying it as a land of "peace, regulations and justice".

"We came from the Gaza Strip where we've encountered mortality on regularly. We have lived through a conflict of an extended period and we are blessed to be in South Africa," stated one man who had departed with his partner and two children.

Complaints and Calls for Action

The humanitarian organization has subsequently demanded Ramaphosa to examine the interior department and customs service for the "embarrassment they've caused" the Palestinian nationals.

The foundation's director claimed this conduct consisted of being required to remain for an extended period on the runway at the facility, being prevented from receiving nourishment provided by the charity and "using every excuse in the guide to block these individuals from exiting the aircraft".

Historical Support

The country has been sharply disapproving of Israel's defense actions in the Gaza Strip.

The country's sympathy for the Palestinian struggle for an independent state goes back a long time, notably the beginning of the 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela committed support for the Palestinian struggle.

Large pro-Palestinian marches have been conducted around the nation since the hostilities started.

More limited in favor of Israeli policies demonstrations and gatherings have been held in the state, which has the largest Jewish residents in the region.

In the previous year, the country's leadership filed a legal action against the nation with the International Court of Justice, alleging it of mass killing in Gaza. The nation has firmly denied the South African claim, calling it "unsubstantiated".