Secret evacuations fuel fears of Gaza displacement scheme

Mounting accusations are being levelled at a Europe-based organisation, facilitating what critics describe as a covert displacement scheme, after groups of Palestinians were found to have left Gaza through opaque and unofficial channels.

Departures from Gaza are not subject to formal exit processes and instead resemble smuggling-style operations, according to accounts from travellers and officials.

These movements are overseen by an Israel-linked organisation known as "Al-Majd Europe", which selects families and specific individuals to leave the territory, The New Arab's sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported on Saturday.

Residents of Gaza have repeatedly expressed confusion after public figures announced their departure or arrival in foreign countries without explaining how they travelled. The secrecy surrounding these journeys persisted until a problem emerged several weeks ago during the transfer of a group of families to South Africa, when travellers were stranded at an airport for around three hours.

Those affected appealed for help by posting video messages online, prompting intervention by Israeli authorities rather than the Palestinian Authority.

Four main routes currently exist for travel out of Gaza.

The first is described as "humanitarian evacuation" and is overseen by Al-Majd Europe, which has been accused by Palestinian officials of involvement in displacement.

The second involves European consulates coordinating with Israeli authorities to evacuate families or individuals.

The third route is through student scholarships, while the fourth is travel for medical treatment. All travellers exit through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The Health Ministry in Gaza recorded the departure of 200 patients during October and November, each accompanied by two or three people.

Among those who have recently left Gaza is novelist Yusri al-Ghul, who travelled with his family to Switzerland, where he said he would work at a university.

Neurologist Khamis al-Issi also announced his departure to Norway, writing on Facebook: "I left Gaza temporarily, not fleeing from my love for it, but in search of some progress for my family’s future, after fulfilling my duty toward patients and the wounded from the beginning of the war until its last day for more than two years."

He described the journey as "arduous and lasting more than 24 hours, without luggage, except for phones and official documents".

Journalist Ali M., who travelled to South Africa, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that his decision was driven by the impossibility of remaining in Gaza.

"I lost my home and my job, lived under coercive conditions, and suffered psychological distress," he said.

"The unknown future pushed me to take a fateful decision to leave my homeland in search of a dignified life for myself and my family."

Ali said he registered through Al-Majd Europe and waited five months after receiving security approval from Israeli authorities before being able to travel. "The occupation authorities do not allow travellers to take suitcases," he added, noting that only personal documents were permitted.

Others have been unable to leave despite repeated attempts.

Ammar, a young man who has been trying to travel for months, said deteriorating living and health conditions had made departure "a necessity rather than a choice". He said applicants must submit passports through intermediaries, await Israeli security screening, and pay around $2,500 upon approval.

"I do not understand why elites and those with academic degrees are chosen," he said, adding that there is "great ambiguity" surrounding the selection process.

Attempts to obtain clarification from Al-Majd Europe were unsuccessful. Mu’ayyad Sayedem, who works with the organisation, declined to respond to accusations that it is involved in displacement and refused to explain its procedures.

Several travellers said registration and payment were handled through intermediaries, with no direct contact with the organisation.

Palestinian officials say they have no verified information about who funds or oversees Al-Majd Europe. Ismail al-Thawabteh, director of Gaza’s Government Media Office, said no official body has received legal documentation or formal communications from the organisation.

"Available information indicates that the entity overseeing this organisation is run by Israeli individual holding Estonian citizenship," he told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, adding that its activities align with plans reported in Hebrew media to encourage the voluntary displacement of Gazans.

He said the lack of transparency "confirm[s] that this organisation operates under direct cover, or in functional integration with the occupation authorities", describing the activities as part of efforts to reshape Gaza’s demographic reality and calling them "a fully fledged crime of forcible transfer under international law".

The departures have also affected Gaza’s health sector. Zaher al-Wahidi, director of the Health Ministry’s Health Information Systems Department, said around 600 medical staff have left Gaza, including an estimated 300 doctors.

"These are specialists in rare fields," he said, warning that their departure has severely undermined healthcare for the wounded and chronically ill, particularly as Israeli authorities continue to block the entry of foreign medical teams.