Tel aviv: An investigation by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has revealed the existence of a network, led by an Israeli, that is facilitating the evacuation of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip through informal and unofficial arrangements. This network is reportedly exploiting the dire humanitarian conditions faced by Gaza residents since the onset of the Israeli offensive.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the network centers around an organization named "Al-Majd Europe," which claims to be a humanitarian body aimed at aiding Muslim communities in conflict zones. However, it is actually a front for a consulting firm established in Estonia and managed by a dual Israeli-Estonian citizen, Tomer Janar Lind.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has previously issued warnings to companies and entities involved in deceiving Palestinians, inciting them to leave or be displaced, or engaging in human trafficking. They have stated that such practices will have legal consequences, and responsible parties will face prosecution and accountability.
The investigation disclosed that since May, at least three flights have departed from Ramon Airport near Eilat, transporting hundreds of Gazans to various destinations worldwide. South Africa has initiated an official investigation to determine how this group entered its territory. President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that "the arrivals were transported from Gaza via dubious routes," and emphasized that South Africa received them on humanitarian grounds due to their origin in a "devastated land."
The Palestinian Embassy in South Africa criticized the flight organizers as "unregistered and deceptive," accusing them of collecting money from families, coordinating illegal travel, and abandoning them at the first sign of trouble.
Documents obtained by Israeli newspapers indicate that Al-Majd did not act alone. The network was reportedly directed by the Voluntary Migration Directorate of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, established by a cabinet decision last March to "facilitate the departure of Gazans wishing to leave." This directorate referred the organization to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) to coordinate the departure lists, which COGAT officially approved.
These revelations occur within a broader political context, notably after former US President Donald Trump endorsed a plan to "transfer Gaza residents" to "distant and safe" locations, a plan that the Israeli government has recently embraced. An Israeli security source mentioned that the rate of security rejections for exit requests "has decreased significantly" following the cabinet decision, thereby enabling the organization's activities amid chaos and limited options.
Airlines involved have stated that they did not engage directly with the organization, receiving bookings through an "Israeli travel agent," whose identity remains undisclosed. Representatives of Global Airways, the parent company of Lift Airlines, indicated that the agent informed them the passengers intended to visit South Africa for no more than 90 days.
Meanwhile, South African human rights organizations have raised concerns that these flights might be part of a larger scheme to "organize the removal of Palestinians from Gaza." President Ramaphosa confirmed that the passengers "were paid to leave the Strip," and announced that the investigation continues.
What has surfaced so far indicates a sophisticated smuggling network that profits from a continuous humanitarian crisis. This network operates through front companies, offshore entities, and encrypted communications, with its ultimate objectives remaining unclear.
The Palestinians who became entangled in this network's operations paid exorbitant fees in hopes of escaping the harsh realities of war, only to find themselves at the mercy of unknown entities and their backers. This situation represents one of the largest operations intertwining profit, security, and politics at the expense of a besieged population's suffering.
