Johannesburg/Gaza
A Palestinian evacuee from Gaza has described a harrowing 24-hour journey that took him and 152 others from the besieged enclave to South Africa—without knowing their final destination until midway through the trip.
Loay Abu Saif, who fled Gaza with his wife and children, told Al Jazeera that their departure—facilitated through a controversial transit scheme—was a “trip of suffering” marked by uncertainty, security checks, and confusion over travel documents.
Abu Saif said the group left Gaza not knowing where they would end up. “We were not too convinced that any group would be able to make this kind of evacuation,” he said. “But I can say I feel safe now, which means a lot for Palestinians, especially for those in Gaza.”
Details emerging from evacuees indicate that the Israeli military facilitated the group’s movement through territory it controls. According to reports, the passengers were transported by bus from Rafah to the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing, where they underwent checks before being taken onward to Israel’s Ramon Airport.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Amman said it was “unlikely” that such an evacuation could occur without Israeli oversight, noting strict restrictions along the so-called “yellow line” in Gaza, where anyone approaching without permission risks being shot.
A journey shrouded in uncertainty
The chartered flight left Ramon Airport, transited through Nairobi, Kenya, and arrived in Johannesburg on Thursday morning. However, passengers were initially barred from disembarking because their documents lacked Israeli departure stamps—a requirement for entry.
“We realised the problem when we reached South Africa and they asked us, ‘Where are you coming from?’” Abu Saif said.
The group had registered through Al-Majd Europe, a Germany-based nonprofit with an office in Jerusalem. Abu Saif said the organisation advertised its evacuation program online and appeared to prioritise families with children who held valid Palestinian travel documents and had received Israeli security clearance.
Passengers were instructed not to carry luggage besides essential documents. Each evacuee was charged $1,400 to $2,000, with parents paying the same amount per child or infant.
What happens next
South African authorities confirmed that of the 153 Palestinians who landed, 130 were allowed entry, while 23 continued to other destinations.
Abu Saif said many evacuees had onward plans, with some already traveling to Australia, Indonesia, or Malaysia within 48 hours. Others chose to remain in South Africa for medical or financial reasons.
The nonprofit that organised the evacuation reportedly offered support for only a week or two, after which families must arrange their own accommodation and long-term plans.
“People have calculated that the cost of life in any country will be cheaper compared to the cost of living in Gaza,” Abu Saif said.
The case has added fuel to growing concerns among activists who accuse Israel of encouraging Palestinian displacement through coordinated evacuation schemes—claims Israel has not publicly addressed.
