Over 100 Palestinians who traveled to South Africa allegedly seeking asylum disembarked after spending over 12 hours on the tarmac at a Johannesburg airport, South African public broadcaster SABC reported on Thursday.
The 153 Palestinians traveled on a flight from Nairobi, Kenya, and were held at O.R. Tambo International Airport after South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) initially refused their entry because they were unable to indicate the duration of their stay or the address of their accommodation, SABC noted.
Out of the 153, 23 had been transferred to their final destinations, while the remaining 130 were processed for entry into South Africa.
They were allowed to enter the country after pro-Palestinian activist group Gift of the Givers "gave its commitment to accommodate the travelers," SABC clarified.
The activists claimed that Israel deliberately did not stamp passports "to exacerbate the suffering" of the Palestinians.
Activists thank South African gov't for pro-Palestinian stance
"We thank the South African government for coming to the assistance of the Palestinian people yet again. Gift of the Givers, with other civil society partners, will provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees," the activists stated.
The Palestinians "are eligible for 90-day visa-exempt travel to South Africa, and have been processed as per normal and will be required to adhere to all conditions of entry," BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato confirmed to SABC.
The IDF said that the departure of Gazans is typically coordinated by Israeli authorities before arriving in a different country, Israeli media reported.
The passengers, including young children, left Gaza early on Wednesday, underwent Israeli security checks at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, transferred by bus to Ilan and Asaf Ramon Airport near Eilat, and then boarded the charter flight to Nairobi, Haaretz reported.