The plane carrying the Palestinians landed in South Africa on Thursday morning. None of the 153 people on board, including several families with children and a woman nine months pregnant, had official documents showing that Israeli authorities had approved their departure.
However, according to a person who was on the plane, it all happened with the help of Israeli authorities.
"They told us we will inform you a day before. That's what happened," Abu Saif told Al Jazeera.
Saif says his wife contacted an organization based in Germany with offices in Jerusalem to register for the trip, which he explains required Israeli security clearance.
According to Al Jazeera, the group was reportedly taken by bus past the so-called Yellow Line – the withdrawal line guarded by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip – and then driven to the charter resort of Eilat's Ramon Airport.
Once in South Africa, the 153 were initially kept on the plane as South African authorities could not ascertain who had organized the trip.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the trip will be investigated by authorities but that the Palestinians will be received based on "compassion and empathy."
Israel has not officially commented on the trip.
