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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that a probe will be conducted into the unexplained arrival of a leased jet transporting 153 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip into the nation.

First Admission Refusal

The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were at first denied admission and remained in the aircraft for in excess of 10 hours as they "were missing the standard departure stamps in their identification papers", airport representatives reported.

A large portion were eventually allowed in after intervention from a domestic humanitarian organization and because of the administration's "understanding [and] compassion", Ramaphosa said.

The particulars of their leaving from the Gaza Strip and flight to the country remain unclear.

International Context

The nation has continued consistent advocacy for the Palestinian cause throughout the war between the Hamas organization and Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa commented the group "somehow unexplainably were put on a jet that stopped in Nairobi" and continued to South Africa.

"These individuals departed from the Gaza territory after obtaining authorization from a another state to welcome them," declared an defense organization that controls Gaza's border points.

Official Statement

Per the Palestinian embassy in the country, the travelers departed from a facility in Israel and traveled to the state via the Kenya's main city, "absent prior note or planning".

A statement from the official office claimed "a non-official and false group [had] taken advantage of the tragic circumstances of our people in the Gaza Strip, deceived families, received funds from them, and facilitated their travel in an unorthodox and irresponsible way".

Latest Circumstances

Of the 153 passengers, 23 succeeded to travel to other locations, resulting in 130 who were allowed into the territory, national representatives say.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an function in the city, said he was notified of the unfolding crisis by the home affairs minister.

In reaction, the head of state said "we are unable to refuse them", according to domestic news.

"Although they lack the appropriate identification and documents, these are people from a war-ravaged, a war-torn nation," he continued.

Government Measures

The head of state also told media representatives the national administration would perform a "thorough evaluation" of the matter and inform the citizens on "current developments and the manner in which this case came to be in its current state", per government television.

Government Representative Leon Schreiber commented that while individuals with Palestinian documents qualified for 90-day no-visa entry to South Africa, the absence of exit markings, homeward journeys or residence details in certain of the passengers' documentation caused the first denial to let them into the country.

After it was confirmed that the non-presence of this data "did not indicate that the individuals wanted to seek protection" and their accommodation was confirmed, they were granted entry.

"Each of the individuals are in ownership of legitimate passports and, now, not one of them have sought refuge," he confirmed.

Support Assistance

South African charity has stated it will provide the group with accommodation in the territory.

Community groups in the country have demanded investigations into the situation the Palestinians had escaped in the Gaza Strip and the specific path of the jet.

One of the travelers who was interviewed by local media expressed his relief to be in South Africa, describing it as a nation of "tranquility, regulations and fairness".

"We arrived from Gaza where we've encountered danger on every day. We have lived through a hostilities of an extended period and we are lucky to be in South Africa," stated one man who had fled with his wife and offspring.

Criticism and Demands for Action

The aid foundation has since called for Ramaphosa to examine the interior department and customs service for the "embarrassment they've inflicted" the travelers.

The foundation's leader claimed this conduct consisted of being required to remain for an extended period on the tarmac at the facility, being denied nourishment supplied by the charity and "employing various justifications in the manual to block these passengers from disembarking".

Historical Backing

South Africa has been sharply disapproving of the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip.

The country's solidarity for the Palestinian struggle for an self-governing country extends a long time, especially the start of the last decade when historical figure Nelson Mandela committed assistance for the Palestinian rights.

Large supporting Palestine marches have been organized around South Africa since the hostilities began.

Smaller pro-Israel marches and events have been held in the state, which contains the largest Jewish community in sub-Saharan Africa.

In last year, the South African government filed a case against the nation with the International Court of Justice, charging it of systematic destruction in Gaza. The Israeli government has firmly denied the accusation, labeling it "baseless".