South Africa has launched an investigation into the unexplained arrival of two chartered flights carrying more than 300 Palestinians from Gaza, amid conflicting accounts from Israeli and South African authorities.

The 153 passengers – many malnourished, traumatised and travelling with only passports, phones and small amounts of cash – arrived last week, and spent over 12 hours confined to their aircraft at OR Tambo International Airport after officials noted missing Israeli exit stamps and limited travel documentation.

They were later admitted on a 90-day, visa-exempt entry after a local non-governmental organisation, Gift of the Givers, undertook the task of providing accommodation.

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the situation as “mysterious”, adding: “These are people from Gaza, who somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi and came here.”

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories unit, however, has claimed that the travellers were cleared to depart Gaza only after a third country – later confirmed as South Africa – approved their entry.

The claim has fuelled political tension, with civil society groups warning that Israel may be attempting to relocate Gaza residents, a concern Ramaphosa echoed when he said it looked “like they were being flushed out”.

Authorities are now looking into who coordinated the flights and how the refugees’ travel was arranged.

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