South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says there will be an investigation into the mysterious arrival of a chartered plane carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza into the country.

The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport but were initially refused entry and were stuck in the plane for more than 10 hours as they did not have the customary departure stamps in their passports, local authorities said.

Most were eventually allowed in after intervention from a local charity and because of the government's empathy [and] compassion, Ramaphosa said.

The circumstances of their departure from Gaza and travel to South Africa remain unclear.

South Africa has maintained strong support for the Palestinian cause throughout the war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

Ramaphosa said the group somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi and flew to South Africa, reports the News24 site.

Israeli military body Cogat, which controls Gaza's crossings, stated that the residents left the Gaza Strip after Cogat received approval from a third country to receive them, but did not specify the country.

According to the Palestinian embassy in South Africa, the group left Israel's Ramon Airport and flew to the country via the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, without any prior note or coordination.

A statement from the embassy claimed an unregistered and misleading organization [had] exploited the tragic humanitarian conditions of our people in Gaza, deceived families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an irregular and irresponsible manner.

The BBC has sought a response from the Kenyan government.

Out of the original 153, 23 managed to fly on to other destinations, leaving 130 who were granted entry into the country, according to South African authorities.

Ramaphosa, speaking during an event in Johannesburg, revealed he was informed of the unfolding crisis by the home affairs minister.

The president stated that we cannot turn them back, emphasizing that these are people from a strife-torn, a war-torn country.

He also indicated that the South African government would carry out a proper evaluation of the matter and keep the public informed about the ongoing situation.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber explained that while Palestinian passport-holders qualify for 90-day visa-exempt access to South Africa, the lack of departure stamps, return tickets, or accommodation addresses led to their initial refusal at entry.

Once it was confirmed that the absence of documentation did not indicate a desire to apply for asylum and their accommodations were assured, entry was granted.

All travelers possessed valid passports and none have applied for asylum, according to government statements.

Gift of the Givers, a South African charity, has offered accommodation for the group.

Civil societies are calling for investigations into the conditions that prompted their escape from Gaza and the flight's exact route.

One Palestinian who spoke to local media expressed relief in arriving in South Africa, describing it as a land of peace, laws and justice. We came from Gaza where we've faced death on a daily basis. We have survived a war of two years and we are lucky to be here, said the individual, who fled with family.

This charity has called for an inquiry into the home affairs ministry and border authority due to the humiliation they've caused the Palestinians during their experience at the airport.

Moreover, South Africa has been fiercely critical of Israel's military actions in Gaza, and support for the Palestinian cause has been a long-standing principle of the country's foreign policy since Nelson Mandela's era.