South Africa Launches Inquiry Into ‘Mysterious’ Arrival of Plane Carrying 153 Palestinians From Gaza

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says authorities will conduct a full investigation into how a chartered aircraft carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza unexpectedly landed in the country this week, describing the circumstances of their arrival as “mysterious.”

The passengers arrived at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport but were initially denied entry. According to local authorities, the group remained onboard for more than 10 hours because their passports did not contain the standard departure stamps required for immigration clearance.

After intervention from a local humanitarian organization and discussions with government officials, most of the group was eventually allowed to enter the country. Ramaphosa said the decision was guided by South Africa’s “empathy and compassion” for civilians fleeing conflict.

The details of how the group left Gaza and made their way to South Africa remain unclear. The country has been one of the strongest international supporters of the Palestinian cause throughout the ongoing Israel–Hamas war.

Ramaphosa told supporters at an event in Johannesburg that he was notified of the situation by the home affairs minister. He said the group “somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi” before arriving in South Africa, according to News24.

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat), which oversees Gaza’s border crossings, said the Palestinians left Gaza only after a “third country” approved receiving them. The agency did not specify which country that was.

The Palestinian embassy in South Africa released a statement claiming the group departed from Israel’s Ramon Airport and traveled via Nairobi “without any prior note or coordination.” The embassy alleged that “an unregistered and misleading organization” had exploited desperate families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel “in an irregular and irresponsible manner.”

Of the original 153 passengers, South African authorities say 23 continued to other destinations, while 130 were granted entry into the country.

Ramaphosa said that despite the lack of proper documentation, turning the group away was not an option. “Even though they do not have the necessary documents and papers, these are people from a strife-torn, a war-torn country,” he said, adding that the government would conduct a “proper evaluation” of the situation.

He assured the public that once the investigation is complete, authorities will provide a full explanation of how the chain of events unfolded and why the group ended up in South Africa without prior coordination.