TEL AVIV, November 17, 2025 (WAFA) –The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that there's a network, led by an Israeli, that facilitates the evacuation of Palestinian citizens from the Gaza Strip through unofficial arrangements, directly exploiting the dire humanitarian conditions faced by Gaza residents since the Israeli offensive.

Haaretz reported in its investigation that at the heart of this network is an organization called "Al-Majd Europe," which presents itself as a humanitarian organization working to "relieve Muslim communities from conflict zones." However, it is in reality merely a front for a consulting firm established in Estonia and managed by a dual Israeli-Estonian citizen named Tomer Janar Lind.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates had previously warned companies and entities that deceive Palestinians, incite them to leave or be displaced, or engage in human trafficking and exploit the tragic and catastrophic humanitarian situation, that they will bear the legal consequences of their illegal practices and will be subject to prosecution and accountability.

The investigation revealed that since last May, at least three flights departed from Ramon Airport near Eilat, transporting hundreds of Gazans to various destinations around the world.

South Africa launched an official investigation to determine how this group entered its territory. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that "the arrivals were transported from Gaza via dubious routes," emphasizing that his country treated them on humanitarian grounds given their origins in a "devastated land."

The Palestinian Embassy in South Africa described the organizers of the flights as "unregistered and deceptive," having collected money from families, coordinated the travel illegally, and then abandoned them at the first sign of trouble.

Documents obtained by Israeli newspapers revealed that Al-Majd did not act alone, but was directly directed by the Voluntary Migration Directorate of the Israeli Ministry of Defense. This unit, established by a cabinet decision last March to "facilitate the departure of Gazans wishing to leave," referred the organization to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) to coordinate the departure lists. COGAT officially approved this, stating that it had received the names of the travelers, their visas, and the necessary documents prior to the flights.

These developments come within a broader political context, particularly after US President Donald Trump spoke openly about a plan to "transfer Gaza residents" to "distant and safe" locations, a plan enthusiastically adopted by the Israeli government in recent months. An Israeli security source stated that the rate of security rejections for exit requests "has decreased significantly" following the recent cabinet decision, thus opening the door for the organization's activities, which exploited the chaos and lack of options.

The airlines involved, for their part, confirmed that they did not deal directly with the organization, but rather received bookings through an "Israeli travel agent," whose identity they did not disclose. Owners of Global Airways – the parent company of Lift Airlines – said the agent informed them that the passengers "planned to visit South Africa for no more than 90 days."

In contrast, South African human rights organizations expressed concerns that these flights were part of a broader project aimed at "organizing the removal of Palestinians from Gaza." President Ramaphosa stated that the passengers "were paid to leave the Strip," announcing that the investigation was ongoing.

What has emerged so far points to a sophisticated smuggling network that profits from an ongoing humanitarian crisis. It operates through front companies, offshore firms, and encrypted communications, while its ultimate goal remains undisclosed.

The Palestinians who fell into this network's trap paid exorbitant sums hoping to escape the reality of war, only to find themselves at the mercy of unknown entities and their backers. This is one of the largest operations combining profit, security, and politics at the expense of the suffering of a besieged population.

K.T