Palestinian authorities warn against illegal travel intermediaries amid Gaza crisis

The government’s Emergency Operations Room in the southern governorates of Gaza issued a strong warning to residents about the dangers of dealing with unofficial or illegal travel agents.

The operations room said these intermediaries “claim to be able to arrange travel or evacuation out of the Gaza Strip” but exploit families already facing humanitarian hardship.

Authorities noted a recent increase in the activity of such private networks, which reportedly deceive citizens, collect illegitimate fees, and arrange unsafe travel routes that expose travelers to serious legal and humanitarian risks.

Official channels only

To protect citizens and manage travel arrangements, the operations room emphasized that the Palestinian government is the only authorized body to coordinate travel into and out of Gaza.

Any official arrangements will be announced exclusively through:

• Government authorities
• Palestinian embassies

Residents were urged to contact only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Palestinian embassies, or the Emergency Operations Room for travel inquiries. The statement also warned against handing over passports or documents to anyone without official authorization.

Johannesburg case as example

The statement cited a recent incident involving Palestinian travelers at Johannesburg airport in South Africa, who had used illegal and unofficial arrangements. Authorities said this exposed the travelers to serious risks and nearly led to their deportation.

The operations room praised the “responsible humanitarian stance of the South African government,” which intervened to grant entry visas, reflecting its continued support for the Palestinian people.