Gaza Evacuee Describes 24-Hour Journey to South Africa

A resident of the Gaza Strip, Loay Abu Saif, recently shared the harrowing details of his family’s 24-hour journey to South Africa. Along with 153 other Palestinians, they arrived in Johannesburg without the necessary travel documentation. Their evacuation from Gaza, described by Abu Saif as a “trip of suffering,” reflects the ongoing challenges faced by those attempting to escape the region amid turmoil.

Abu Saif recounted to Al Jazeera that the group was unaware of their ultimate destination when they left Israel. “We were not too convinced that any group would be able to make this kind of evacuation,” he said, speaking from Johannesburg a day after landing at OR Tambo International Airport. Despite the difficult circumstances, he expressed relief at feeling safe in South Africa, a sentiment that holds significant weight for many Palestinians, particularly those from Gaza.

Emerging details indicate that a controversial transit scheme, operated by a non-profit organization, may be facilitating the displacement of Palestinians. Activists argue that this initiative is backed by Israel, which is allegedly supporting their relocation to other countries. According to Abu Saif, the Israeli military appeared to have played a role in his group’s transfer, facilitating their movement through an Israeli airport.

The flight carrying Abu Saif and his family departed from Israel’s Ramon Airport, with a transit stop in Nairobi, Kenya, before arriving in Johannesburg on March 7, 2024. Initially, South African authorities did not allow the passengers to disembark, as their documents lacked departure stamps from Israeli officials. The entire journey lasted more than 24 hours and required a plane change.

Upon leaving Gaza, Abu Saif’s family did not know they would end up in Johannesburg; they discovered their destination only while boarding their connecting flight in Nairobi. Reports from Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh suggest that Israeli coordination was likely involved, as moving through Gaza is heavily monitored. “Nobody can approach that imaginary yellow line without being shot at,” Odeh noted, explaining that evacuees needed to be bused through areas controlled by the Israeli army to reach the airport.

Abu Saif stated that his wife registered the family with Al-Majd Europe, a non-profit organization with offices in Germany and Jerusalem. The organization’s registration form was shared on social media, he revealed. The selection process reportedly targeted families with children and required valid Palestinian travel documents, along with security clearance from Israeli authorities. “This is all what I know about the criteria,” he explained.

When asked if they were informed in advance about their departure, Abu Saif indicated that no specific timelines were provided. “They told us … we will inform you one day before – that’s what happened,” he said. The organization advised them to travel light, carrying only essential documents. The cost of the trip ranged from $1,400 to $2,000 per person, with parents paying the same fee for each child or infant.

After being selected for evacuation, Abu Saif and his family were transported by bus from Rafah, located in southern Gaza, to the Karem Abu Salem crossing (known as Kerem Shalom in Israel), where they underwent security checks before continuing to Ramon Airport. He noted that while their travel documents were not stamped by Israeli authorities, he believed this was a routine procedure due to the absence of Palestinian border officials in Gaza.

The true complications arose upon their arrival in South Africa, where officials questioned them about their origins. “We realised the problem when we reached South Africa and they were asking us … ‘Where are you coming from?’” Abu Saif recounted.

Looking ahead, Al-Majd Europe indicated they would assist Abu Saif’s family for one to two weeks, after which they would need to navigate their own circumstances. He mentioned that many evacuees had already made plans for future destinations, including Australia, Indonesia, or Malaysia. “About 30 percent of the total number of passengers left South Africa on the same day or within the first two days,” he stated, noting that others may choose to stay for various reasons, including medical treatment.

According to South African immigration authorities, of the 153 Palestinians who arrived on March 7, 130 were permitted to enter the country, while 23 continued to other destinations. Abu Saif highlighted a stark economic reality, saying, “People have calculated that the cost of life in any country will be cheaper compared to the cost of living in Gaza,” emphasizing the difficult choices faced by many in the region.