Over 36,000 residents have left the Gaza Strip since the start of the war, according to a report today (Friday) on Channel 12 News. This is an unprecedented number, pointing to an emerging trend of mass departure from the area.
Many Gazans are seeking ways to escape the economic devastation and security chaos that have taken hold of the Strip, in hopes of finding refuge elsewhere in the world.
Emigration Driven by the Harsh Reality Created by Hamas
The reasons for the growing exodus are clear: economic collapse, hunger in the markets, and a sense of despair about the future. The situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly as a result of the war initiated by the terrorist organization Hamas.
Nevertheless, Hamas and other factions in the Strip are working to prevent this wave of emigration. They strongly oppose it, invoking terms like “displacement” and “expulsion.” Hamas even claims this is part of a “political plan” by U.S. President Trump to encourage Palestinian emigration.
Not Everyone Is Allowed to Leave
At present, only specific groups of residents are officially permitted to exit the Strip. These include patients and their escorts, Gazans with dual citizenship whose countries are actively working to rescue them, and those who have managed to obtain visas to other nations. The main condition for departure is the agreement of a third country to accept the evacuees and provide them with legal status.
According to the report, most of the emigration is taking place via the Rafah crossing at the border with Egypt, which was opened in one direction (exit only) following the ceasefire.
Gazans Have Emigrated to Jordan, the UAE, and Western Europe
Around 2,000 Gazans have crossed through the Allenby Bridge between Israel and Jordan, continuing on to other countries—primarily Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and various nations in Western Europe. The trend is ongoing, and within a short period, more than 36,000 residents have left the Gaza Strip.
