South Africa Questions Mystery Flights After Hundreds of Gazans Arrive

Unverified travel agency sold “safe passage” to desperate Palestinians

A little‑known travel outfit advertised “secure routes” for Palestinians fleeing the Gaza Strip, promising transportation without disclosing the final destination. Many of the passengers boarded the flights with only the hope of reaching safety, unaware that they would be taken to South Africa.

Arrival catches Pretoria off guard

When the planes touched down at O. R. Tambo International Airport, South African authorities were taken by surprise. Immigration officials reported that the travelers arrived without proper visas or prior coordination with the government, prompting an immediate review of border protocols.

Government response

President Cyril Ramaphosa instructed the Department of Home Affairs to investigate the origins of the flights and to determine who was responsible for selling the tickets. A spokesperson from the Foreign Ministry said, “We are deeply concerned about any operation that bypasses legal migration channels and puts vulnerable people at risk.”

Humanitarian concerns

Human‑rights groups have expressed sympathy for the Gazans, noting the dire conditions in the enclave. However, they also warned that unregulated transport could expose refugees to exploitation and legal jeopardy. “Assistance must be provided within the framework of international law,” said a representative from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Next steps

South Africa plans to cooperate with international partners to trace the travel agency and to ensure that any future arrivals are processed according to established asylum procedures. In the meantime, the newly arrived Gazans are being housed in temporary shelters while their legal status is assessed.