South Africa Suspects Gaza Displacement in Palestinian Arrivals

South African officials expressed deep suspicion Monday over the recent arrival of more than 300 Palestinians from Gaza on chartered flights, viewing the operations as part of a coordinated effort to displace people from their homeland. The flights, which landed in Johannesburg without proper travel documentation, prompted an investigation into the organizing group and raised alarms about potential exploitation amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The first flight arrived on October 28, carrying 176 Palestinians, according to aid workers assisting the group. A second flight touched down last Thursday at OR Tambo International Airport, transporting 153 men, women and children who had transited through Kenya after departing from Israel's Ramon Airport. Border authorities initially denied entry to the second group due to missing departure stamps in their passports and other permit issues, holding them on the plane for 12 hours before granting a 90-day visa exemption on orders from President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told reporters the arrivals appeared orchestrated to relocate Palestinians beyond Gaza and the West Bank. "It's a clearly orchestrated operation...