• 153 Palestinians arrived in South Africa without proper travel documents.
• The group was held on a plane for 12 hours before being processed.
• South African authorities have launched an investigation into the flight's origin.
• Local NGO offered accommodation to many of the stranded passengers.
• Public criticism has mounted against handling of the situation by officials.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that an investigation is underway regarding the arrival of 153 Palestinians who landed at O.R. Tambo International Airport via a chartered flight from Gaza with a stop in Nairobi. These passengers faced complications that initially resulted in their entry being denied, leading to a more than 12-hour waiting period on the tarmac. Ramaphosa remarked, "Even though they do not have the necessary documents and papers, these are people from a strife-torn, a war-torn country," emphasizing the need for compassion, according to BBC and Africanews.

The incident has garnered significant criticism from NGOs and the public, particularly regarding the conditions on the plane, which were described as unbearable, with reports of heat causing distress among the passengers, including young children. Pastor Nigel Branken, who accessed the plane, stated it was "like a sauna" and criticized the treatment of the refugees, pointing out the humanitarian implications of the situation, according to Los Angeles Times and Africanews.

The South African Border Management Authority indicated that the lack of exit stamps from Israeli authorities and unclear intentions regarding their stay contributed to the delay in processing. Local authorities eventually intervened, allowing the passengers to disembark after the NGO Gift of the Givers agreed to provide accommodation. It was reported that of the original 153 passengers, 23 traveled onward to other destinations, leaving 130 who were allowed to remain in South Africa, per BBC and Los Angeles Times.

Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns regarding the involvement of mysterious entities in arranging the flight for the Palestinians. The Palestinian embassy in South Africa has accused an unregistered organization of exploiting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to facilitate the travel of the Palestinian group, further complicating the situation. Ramaphosa expressed empathy for the plight of the Palestinians, remarking that they “seem to have been flushed out” from their homeland, according to Africanews and Los Angeles Times.

As the situation develops, it remains unclear what further actions will be taken regarding the investigation and what solutions will be provided for those seeking asylum in South Africa. The treatment of these arrivals underlines the ongoing complexities of immigration and humanitarian efforts affecting Palestinian refugees, noted by multiple commentators and analysts in the field, reported by BBC, Africanews, and Los Angeles Times.