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The nation's leader Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that an inquiry will be launched into the puzzling arrival of a leased jet transporting 153 individuals from Palestine from the Gaza Strip into the country.

Primary Admission Rejection

The travelers touched down at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially refused entry and were stuck in the jet for over 10 hours as they "did not have the usual passport endorsements in their travel documents", local authorities confirmed.

A large portion were finally granted entry after assistance from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the administration's "compassion [and] humanity", Ramaphosa said.

The details of their departure from the Gaza Strip and journey to South Africa continue to be mysterious.

International Background

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

Ramaphosa said the passengers "through unknown means unexplainably were placed aboard a plane that passed by Nairobi" and continued to South Africa.

"The travelers left the Gaza Strip after obtaining approval from a foreign nation to welcome them," stated an defense organization that oversees Gaza's border points.

Diplomatic Comment

According to the Palestinian embassy in South Africa, the passengers exited an Israeli airport and traveled to the nation via the Kenya's main city, "absent advance notification or arrangement".

A statement from the embassy stated "a non-official and misleading organization [had] used the devastating humanitarian conditions of our people in the Gaza Strip, misled individuals, received funds from them, and organized their movement in an irregular and careless fashion".

Present Situation

Of the 153 travelers, 23 managed to fly on to alternative places, leaving 130 who were granted entry into the territory, national representatives report.

Ramaphosa, talking during an gathering in the city, mentioned he was notified of the ongoing issue by the home affairs minister.

In response, the head of state stated "we are unable to turn them back", according to South African reporting.

"Although they lack the appropriate papers and documents, these are individuals from a war-ravaged, a war-torn nation," he remarked.

Official Action

The head of state also informed reporters the country's leadership would perform a "thorough review" of the situation and notify the people on "ongoing events and how this situation developed as it stands", per public broadcaster.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said that while Palestinian passport-holders qualified for 90-day no-visa admission to the nation, the absence of exit markings, round-trip fares or accommodation addresses in some of the passengers' documentation resulted in the initial refusal to allow them into the nation.

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

"All of the passengers are in possession of legitimate identification papers and, currently, none of them have sought refuge," he said.

Humanitarian Response

Local humanitarian organization has stated it will supply the group with lodging in the territory.

Community groups in the nation have called for examinations into the situation the Palestinians had left in the Gaza Strip and the specific journey of the plane.

An individual of the Palestinian nationals who spoke to domestic television expressed his gratitude to be in the country, describing it as a nation of "harmony, rules and fairness".

"We traveled from the Gaza Strip where we've encountered danger on regularly. We have survived a war of two years and we are lucky to be in this place," said a male passenger who had departed with his partner and kids.

Criticism and Calls for Accountability

The charity group has afterwards demanded Ramaphosa to examine the home affairs ministry and immigration officials for the "embarrassment they've inflicted" the Palestinian nationals.

The foundation's leader stated this treatment involved being made to remain for an extended period on the tarmac at the facility, being denied food provided by the charity and "using various justifications in the book to block these travelers from disembarking".

Historical Support

South Africa has been sharply disapproving of the Israeli defense actions in the Gaza Strip.

The country's sympathy for the Palestinian cause for an sovereign nation dates back decades, particularly the beginning of the 1990s when historical figure Nelson Mandela vowed support for the Palestinian rights.

Substantial supporting Palestine marches have been conducted throughout South Africa since the war began.

Less numerous supporting Israel demonstrations and gatherings have been held in the state, which hosts the largest Jewish residents in the continent.

In last year, the country's leadership lodged a lawsuit against Israel with the global judicial body, alleging it of mass killing in the Gaza Strip. Israel has categorically refused the South African claim, calling it "baseless".