South Africa Probes “Mysterious” Arrival of Plane Carrying 153 Palestinians From Gaza

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into the unexplained arrival of a chartered aircraft carrying 153 Palestinians from the war-torn Gaza Strip, after the group was held aboard the plane for more than 10 hours at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

The passengers, who
arrived without customary departure stamps in their passports, were initially denied entry by immigration officials, prompting what authorities described as an unprecedented border-control dilemma. Most of them were eventually allowed into the country following intervention from a local humanitarian group and what the president described as the government’s “empathy and compassion”.

South Africa has been one of the most vocal supporters of the Palestinian cause during the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

However, officials say the circumstances surrounding the group’s departure from Gaza and their travel route remain unclear triggering concern within the government.

Speaking at an event in Johannesburg, President Ramaphosa revealed that he was briefed on the developing situation by the Minister of Home Affairs.

“We cannot turn them back,” he said. “Even though they do not have the necessary documents and papers, these are people from a strife-torn, war-torn country.”

According to the president, the aircraft “mysteriously” made its journey by passing through Nairobi before landing in Johannesburg, raising questions about who organized and authorized the evacuation.

The Israeli military liaison office, COGAT which oversees crossings into and out of Gaza confirmed that the passengers left the enclave through Israel’s Ramon Airport. In a statement, it said their departure was approved after “a third country” agreed to receive them, though it did not identify the nation involved.

However, the Palestinian embassy in Pretoria offered a different account, stating that the group flew from Israel to South Africa via Nairobi “without any prior note or coordination” with Palestinian diplomatic authorities.

The embassy alleged that an “unregistered and misleading organization” exploited the desperation of families in Gaza, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel “in an irregular and irresponsible manner”.

Of the 153 passengers, 23 have since left South Africa for other destinations, while 130 were admitted into the country, according to Home Affairs.

President Ramaphosa said the government will conduct a “proper evaluation” to determine how the unusual situation unfolded and will update the public as more information becomes available.