A group of 153 Palestinians from Gaza unexpectedly arrived in South Africa, sparking inquiries from President Cyril Ramaphosa. Israeli authorities confirmed that the individuals had received entry approval from an unnamed third country, allowing their departure from Gaza. Shimi Zuaretz, a spokesperson for COGAT, the Israeli body overseeing civil affairs in Palestinian territories, stated that the group was permitted to leave only after receiving third-country approval. Upon landing in Johannesburg, the passengers were detained on their plane for 12 hours due to the absence of Israeli departure stamps in their passports. South African border police reported that the home affairs ministry eventually allowed the group to disembark after an NGO, Gift of the Givers, offered to provide accommodation. The NGO clarified that it was unaware of who had chartered the flight or a previous one that brought 176 Gazans to South Africa on October 28. An unidentified Israeli official revealed that the organization coordinating the transfer had submitted third-country visas to COGAT for all evacuees. President Ramaphosa expressed concern, suggesting it appeared as though the individuals were being ‘flushed out.’ South Africa’s home affairs ministry confirmed that 130 of the group entered the country, while 23 continued to other destinations. Zuaretz emphasized that COGAT facilitates the departure of Gaza residents for medical treatment, dual citizens, and those with third-country visas, based solely on foreign country requests. Since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, over 40,000 Gaza residents have been assisted in leaving. South Africa, home to sub-Saharan Africa’s largest Jewish community, has historically supported the Palestinian cause, even filing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in 2023.