South Africa is launching an investigation into the perplexing arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza. President Cyril Ramaphosa described the situation as "mysterious," highlighting the unusual circumstances surrounding their journey.
The group landed at OR Tambo International Airport, but faced initial entry denial due to missing departure stamps in their passports. They were held on the plane for over 10 hours. Local authorities eventually allowed most of them entry following intervention from a South African charity and citing governmental "empathy and compassion".
The details of their departure from Gaza and subsequent travel to South Africa remain shrouded in uncertainty. Ramaphosa noted the group “somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi” before arriving in South Africa, according to News24.
COGA, the Israeli military body overseeing Gaza's crossings, stated that the residents departed Gaza with approval from a third country, without specifying which one. The Palestinian embassy in South Africa reported the group flew from Israel's Ramon Airport via Nairobi “without any prior note or coordination”.
The embassy further alleged that an “unregistered and misleading organization” exploited the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, deceiving families, collecting money, and facilitating irregular travel. The Kenyan government has been approached for comment.
Of the initial 153, 23 have since travelled to other destinations, leaving 130 Palestinians now in South Africa. The investigation aims to clarify the circumstances of this unusual arrival, particularly concerning the lack of proper documentation and the involvement of unidentified organizations.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of South Africa's consistent support for the Palestinian cause amidst the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.