Palestinian refugees stranded at Johannesburg airport over passport stamps

A humanitarian flight carrying over 100 Palestinian refugees has been grounded at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport since Thursday morning due to passport documentation issues. The passengers, fleeing conflict conditions in Gaza, have been unable to disembark because Israeli authorities refused to provide exit stamps in their travel documents, creating a diplomatic and logistical impasse at the South African border.

Humanitarian Organization's Response

The Gift of the Givers Foundation confirmed the stranded passengers' predicament, noting they had remained aboard the aircraft for several hours while authorities negotiated a solution. Foundation chairman Imtiaz Sooliman stated that South Africa's Border Management Authority initially enforced standard protocols requiring exit stamps for disembarkation, but suggested Israeli officials "deliberately did not stamp the passports of these poor people to exacerbate their suffering in a foreign country."

Diplomatic Intervention Efforts

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola and Director General Zane Dangor have intervened to resolve the situation, with Lamola formally requesting the Home Affairs Ministry to waive the exit stamp requirement. This diplomatic effort mirrors procedures established during a previous humanitarian flight last month that transported 176 Palestinian refugees to South Africa under similar circumstances involving documentation challenges.

Broader Context and Precedents

This incident represents the second organized evacuation of Palestinian refugees from Gaza to South Africa, with family members already residing in the country coordinating the humanitarian transfers through the Gift of the Givers Foundation. South African government officials have not yet issued public statements regarding the current situation but are expected to provide official clarification through scheduled media briefings or formal announcements.