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The nation's leader Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that an investigation will be launched into the unexplained landing of a leased jet carrying 153 Palestinian nationals from the Gaza Strip into the nation.

Initial Admission Refusal

The passengers landed at OR Tambo International Airport but were originally refused entry and were forced to stay in the plane for over 10 hours as they "were missing the customary exit markings in their travel documents", local authorities reported.

The majority were eventually granted entry after support from a local charity and because of the administration's "empathy [and] humanity", Ramaphosa said.

The details of their departure from Gaza and travel to the nation are still unknown.

Diplomatic Background

The country has maintained strong support for the Palestinian rights throughout the hostilities between the Hamas organization and Israel in Gaza.

Ramaphosa stated the group "somehow unexplainably were boarded a aircraft that traveled through Nairobi" and flew to South Africa.

"These individuals left the Gaza Strip after obtaining approval from a another state to receive them," stated an Israeli military body that oversees Gaza's entry-exit locations.

Diplomatic Comment

Per the Palestinian embassy in the nation, the passengers departed from an Israeli airport and flew to the country via the Nairobi, "lacking previous coordination or arrangement".

A declaration from the official office said "an unauthorized and misleading organization [had] taken advantage of the difficult circumstances of our people in the Gaza Strip, tricked households, collected money from them, and organized their movement in an irregular and careless manner".

Present Situation

Among the 153 travelers, 23 were able to fly on to different destinations, resulting in 130 who were admitted into the territory, government officials confirm.

Ramaphosa, talking during an event in the city, stated he was informed of the developing situation by the home affairs minister.

In reply, the president said "we must not turn them back", according to domestic news.

"While they lack the required documents and papers, these are individuals from a war-ravaged, a war-torn land," he continued.

Official Action

The president also stated to media representatives the South African government would conduct a "thorough assessment" of the situation and notify the people on "current developments and how this matter occurred where it is", as stated by national media.

Government Representative Leon Schreiber commented that while Palestinian passport-holders qualified for 90-day visa-exempt admission to the nation, the lack of passport endorsements, return tickets or residence details in certain of the travellers' records resulted in the original denial to permit their entry to the country.

When it was established that the absence of this data "did not indicate that the individuals wished to request asylum" and their accommodation was established, they were allowed in.

"Every one of the travellers are in possession of valid travel documents and, now, not one of them have sought refuge," he stated.

Aid Assistance

Local humanitarian organization has stated it will provide the travelers with housing in the nation.

Non-governmental organizations in the nation have called for examinations into the conditions the individuals had escaped in Gaza and the specific route of the jet.

A single of the Palestinian nationals who communicated with local media shared his relief to be in the nation, characterizing it as a land of "tranquility, laws and equity".

"We came from the Gaza Strip where we've faced death on daily basis. We have endured a conflict of an extended period and we are lucky to be here," stated a male passenger who had fled with his partner and offspring.

Criticism and Demands for Accountability

The aid foundation has since requested Ramaphosa to look into the home affairs ministry and border authority for the "humiliation they've caused" the travelers.

The group's leader claimed this conduct consisted of being required to remain for an extended period on the airport area at the terminal, being prevented from receiving food provided by the charity and "using various justifications in the book to stop these passengers from disembarking".

Traditional Support

The nation has been strongly opposed of Israel's armed campaign in Gaza.

The nation's support for the Palestinian fight for an sovereign nation dates back many years, particularly the early 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela vowed assistance for the Palestinian struggle.

Large supporting Palestine protests have been organized throughout the country since the war started.

More limited pro-Israel rallies and rallies have been conducted in the nation, which contains the biggest Jewish community in the continent.

In last year, the South African government filed a case against Israel with the world court, charging it of genocide in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government has strongly rejected the accusation, labeling it "without foundation".