South Africa to investigate 'mystery' of planeload of Palestinians

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

South Africa to investigate 'mystery' of planeload of Palestinians

14 November 2025

Khanyisile Ngcobo, Johannesburg and Wycliffe Muia, Nairobi

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says there will be an investigation into the "mysterious" arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza into the country.

The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially refused entry and were stuck in the plane for more than 10 hours as they "did not have the customary departure stamps in their passports", local authorities said.

Most were eventually allowed in after intervention from a local charity and because of the government's "empathy [and] compassion", Ramaphosa said.

The circumstances of their departure from Gaza and travel to South Africa remain unclear.

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3dn3g4jdxjo