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A high-stakes international incident unfolded at Johannesburg’s Oliver Regional Tambo International Airport after a chartered plane, carrying over 150 Palestinian passengers from Gaza, landed following a stopover in Nairobi without the necessary travel documentation. The incident has triggered a formal investigation by the South African government and intensified international scrutiny on Israel’s policy regarding the exit of Gazan residents.
The plane was detained on the tarmac for approximately 12 hours as officials scrambled to resolve the issue of passengers lacking correct exit stamps or slips, which are issued by Israeli authorities. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa voiced grave concern, suggesting the passengers appeared to have been “flushed out” of Gaza, promising a thorough investigation while affirming the decision to admit the group "out of compassion" and empathy for those from a “strife-torn, a war-torn country.”
Accusations of Forced Exodus and Exploitation
The "mysterious" and irregular nature of the flight has been a lightning rod for criticism against the Israeli government, with several rights groups alleging it is part of a deliberate attempt to push Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip.
This sentiment aligns with the South African ruling African National Congress (ANC) party’s long-standing critique of Israel, which has repeatedly drawn parallels between the Palestinian cause and South Africa's historical struggle against apartheid. South Africa recently provoked international outrage from Israel and its allies by accusing the state of committing genocide against Palestinians at the United Nations’ top court, an accusation Israel vehemently denies, denouncing South Africa as the “legal arm” of Hamas.
Further darkening the controversy, the Palestinian embassy in South Africa claimed the flight was arranged by an “unregistered and misleading organisation” that severely “exploited the tragic humanitarian conditions of our people in Gaza.” The embassy alleges this entity deceived families, collected money, facilitated irregular travel, and then attempted to disown responsibility once complications arose. Imtiaz Sooliman, chairman of the South African humanitarian agency Gift of the Givers, reinforced the picture of confusion, alleging passengers “had no idea where they were bundled off to, only when in Kenya did they realise they were coming to South Africa.”
Israeli and Organisers’ Defence
In stark contrast, Israeli officials maintained the flight was arranged through a legal corridor with full Israeli co-operation via a body called the Al-Majd organisation. Israel’s body overseeing civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, Cogat, stated the residents left Gaza after Cogat received approval from an unnamed third country to receive them. Israeli government figures indicate that 40,000 Gazans have left the strip since the war began, with dozens to hundreds evacuated each week to Europe, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Al-Majd Europe, an organisation previously linked to facilitating travel for Palestinians and reportedly based in Jerusalem, has been named in connection with the flight. However, a recent message appearing on its website warns that people have been impersonating it to request money or cryptocurrency “under the pretext of facilitating travel or humanitarian aid.”
Where are the Passengers Now?
After the prolonged standoff and humanitarian intervention by the South African government, the passengers were eventually permitted to leave the airport. Updated information indicates that while the majority were admitted into South Africa on compassionate grounds, some of the individuals who were on the flight were found to possess visas for other destinations, including Canada, Australia, and Malaysia. These individuals were subsequently permitted to continue their journey to those specified countries, confirming the diverse intended final destinations for the group. The remaining passengers are now under the care or processing of South African authorities following their official admission into the country.
