Palestinian refugees stranded at OR Tambo International Airport have finally been allowed to set foot in South Africa after a gruelling wait on the tarmac. About 160 people, including children and pregnant women, spent more than 12 hours on a grounded aircraft. This wait ended when officials authorised them to disembark on Thursday evening.
They had fled the war in Gaza and travelled from Israel to Kenya. Arriving in Nairobi in the early hours of Thursday, they boarded a charter flight to Johannesburg later that morning.
Why Officials Blocked Entry
The crisis started when border officials refused to let the group off the plane. This was because their passports did not have exit stamps. Humanitarian workers said Israeli authorities had refused to stamp the documents when the refugees left Gaza. This left them effectively stateless on arrival in South Africa.
Palestinian refugees stranded in limbo on the aircraft were also caught between different government departments and immigration rules. The charter operator said it had submitted the passenger list and travel documents 24 hours before departure. They believed they had met all legal requirements.
Inhumane Conditions for Families
Conditions on board deteriorated as the hours passed. Aid workers reported a nine month pregnant woman and several children collapsed. They called in a medical emergency because there was no proper air conditioning on the plane. Passengers waited for food and water while officials argued over their status.
A humanitarian team, including Gift of the Givers, arrived at the airport to provide food, medical support and accommodation once the group could leave the aircraft. The organisation described the situation as inhumane for people who had already escaped a war zone.
Refugees Finally Allowed into South Africa
After lengthy negotiations involving several government departments and civil society groups, the stand off ended. Officials allowed all 160 Palestinian refugees stranded in the aircraft to disembark and start immigration processing in Johannesburg.
Many now plan to apply for asylum in South Africa, while others will continue on to other countries. They seek to reunite with family or find safety elsewhere.
