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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that an inquiry will be initiated into the puzzling appearance of a chartered plane transporting 153 Palestinian nationals from the Gaza Strip into the territory.

Initial Admission Rejection

The passengers touched down at OR Tambo International Airport but were originally blocked from entering and were stuck in the plane for more than 10 hours as they "lacked the customary departure stamps in their passports", local authorities reported.

The majority were ultimately granted entry after intervention from a South African aid group and because of the government's "empathy [and] humanity", Ramaphosa remarked.

The particulars of their departure from Gaza and travel to South Africa are still unknown.

International Setting

The country has maintained consistent advocacy for the Palestinian cause amid the conflict between the Hamas organization and the Israeli government in Gaza.

Ramaphosa commented the passengers "through unknown means mysteriously were boarded a plane that traveled through Nairobi" and continued to the nation.

"The residents exited the Palestinian enclave after obtaining clearance from a foreign nation to accept them," stated an defense organization that manages Gaza's border points.

Diplomatic Declaration

According to the diplomatic mission in the nation, the passengers left Israel's Ramon Airport and traveled to the country via the Nairobi, "lacking previous coordination or planning".

A announcement from the official office said "an unauthorized and misleading organization [had] taken advantage of the tragic living situation of our citizens in the Gaza Strip, misled households, took payments from them, and facilitated their travel in an improper and irresponsible manner".

Present Situation

Of the 153 individuals, 23 were able to continue to different locations, resulting in 130 who were admitted into the nation, government officials say.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an event in Johannesburg, stated he was notified of the developing issue by the interior official.

In response, the president stated "we cannot turn them back", according to local media.

"Although they lack the necessary identification and documents, these are people from a war-ravaged, a war-torn country," he added.

Administrative Response

The leader also stated to media representatives the South African government would carry out a "proper review" of the matter and notify the public on "current developments and the way this situation occurred in its current state", according to government television.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said that while individuals with Palestinian documents met requirements for 90-day visa-free access to South Africa, the lack of passport endorsements, round-trip fares or housing locations in some of the travellers' documentation led to the first refusal to allow them into the country.

After it was determined that the non-presence of this details "was not evidence that the travellers intended to apply for protection" and their accommodation was established, they were granted entry.

"Every one of the individuals are in possession of legitimate travel documents and, at present, zero of them have applied for refuge," he said.

Humanitarian Response

Local humanitarian organization has announced it will offer the group with housing in the territory.

Non-governmental organizations in the country have requested inquiries into the situation the Palestinian nationals had left in Gaza and the precise route of the aircraft.

A single of the travelers who was interviewed by local media expressed his relief to be in the country, characterizing it as a nation of "harmony, laws and justice".

"We traveled from the Gaza Strip where we've encountered danger on every day. We have survived a war of 24 months and we are blessed to be in South Africa," remarked a male passenger who had departed with his partner and two children.

Complaints and Calls for Accountability

The charity group has afterwards called for Ramaphosa to examine the government agency and immigration officials for the "humiliation they've created" the Palestinian nationals.

The organization's founder claimed this treatment consisted of being required to remain for hours on the airport area at the facility, being prevented from receiving meals supplied by the organization and "using every excuse in the book to prevent these individuals from exiting the aircraft".

Long-standing Advocacy

The country has been highly critical of the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip.

The state's support for the Palestinian fight for an sovereign nation dates back decades, notably the beginning of the 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela vowed backing for the Palestinian rights.

Significant pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been held throughout South Africa since the conflict commenced.

Smaller in favor of Israeli policies marches and events have been organized in the state, which contains the largest Jewish community in the continent.

In the previous year, the South African government submitted a lawsuit against the Israeli government with the world court, alleging it of genocide in the Gaza Strip. The nation has strongly rejected the South African claim, describing it "baseless".