Mystery Gaza Flight Sparks Probe as 150 Palestinians Held in South Africa

South African authorities are investigating the arrival of a chartered flight carrying over 150 Palestinians from war-torn Gaza, after passengers were held on the tarmac for nearly 12 hours at O.R. Tambo International Airport due to missing or irregular travel documents. The unusual circumstances surrounding the flight have sparked criticism from human rights groups and heightened tensions over the safety and treatment of vulnerable refugees.

The plane, which landed on Thursday morning, was not allowed to disembark its passengers until late that evening after immigration authorities conducted interviews and determined the travelers could not specify the duration or purpose of their stay in South Africa. Many passengers lacked exit stamps or documentation normally issued by Israeli authorities for those leaving Gaza.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said authorities are investigating how the Palestinians ended up in Johannesburg via a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya. “These are people from Gaza who somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi and came here,” Ramaphosa told reporters.

Exploitation Allegations

The Palestinian Embassy in South Africa stated that the flight was organized by “an unregistered and misleading organization” that exploited Gaza families, collected money from them, and failed to take responsibility when complications arose. Though unnamed in the statement, an Israeli military source indicated that the organization Al-Majd arranged the transport. According to the official, Israel facilitated buses bringing Palestinians from Gaza to Ramon Airport for departure.

The chaotic arrival has left many Palestinians, including families with children and a woman nine months pregnant, stranded without food, water, or clear guidance for hours. An NGO, Gift of the Givers, stepped in to accommodate 130 of the passengers, while 23 others continued their journey to unspecified destinations.

“Even though they do not have the necessary documents and papers, these are people from a strife-torn, a war-torn country, and out of compassion, out of empathy, we must receive them and be able to deal with the situation that they are facing,” Ramaphosa said.

Humanitarian and Political Concerns

The secretive nature of the flight has fueled fears that it may have been part of a larger attempt to move Palestinians out of Gaza under Israeli policies. Rights groups have described it as part of an ongoing, shadowy operation that exploits the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. South African NGOs have raised concerns over Al-Majd’s potential affiliations with Israeli entities, though concrete evidence remains limited.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has claimed more than 69,000 lives over two years, has created desperate circumstances for civilians. The fragile ceasefire currently in place has not eased the suffering of displaced families seeking safe passage out of the territory.

Al-Majd Europe, which claims to operate as a humanitarian aid organization based in Jerusalem, has not clarified the recent flight arrangements. Its website warns that impersonators may solicit money or cryptocurrency in the name of facilitating travel or aid.

Global Reactions and Implications

South Africa, long a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, has condemned the irregularities surrounding the flight. Ramaphosa emphasized the need to treat the arrivals with compassion while investigating the logistics of the operation. International rights groups have called for increased scrutiny to ensure that humanitarian crises are not exploited for political or commercial purposes.

The unusual arrival highlights the broader humanitarian challenges facing Palestinians under ongoing conflict and the complex international coordination required to manage safe passage for displaced populations. The South African investigation will likely have implications for the oversight of international refugee flights and the accountability of organizations claiming to provide aid.

The arrival of over 150 Palestinians on a mysterious flight to South Africa underscores the vulnerability of civilians fleeing conflict zones and raises serious questions about the roles of organizations and governments in managing humanitarian crises. As authorities investigate the circumstances, the plight of these passengers serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians amid political, social, and military pressures.