• Thameen Al-Kheetan urges Israel to comply with its obligations under international law to protect civilians, ensure and facilitate access to essentials of life

GENEVA

The UN human rights office on Thursday voiced deep concern over reports of organized flights transferring Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to third countries, warning that such movements could constitute unlawful deportations.

Responding to Anadolu's question on the transfer of Palestinians to South Africa, UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said: "We are aware of the reports about organised flights carrying Palestinians living in the Gaza strip outside of the occupied Palestinian territory to different destinations."

Responding in writing, he noted that the human rights office yet to verify independently these reports.

Al-Kheetan stressed that while civilians must be able to escape danger, the circumstances of these departures raise serious legal concerns. "While civilians must be allowed to seek safety, we are concerned that these departures from Gaza may amount to unlawful deportations, prohibited under international humanitarian law," he said.

He pointed to the broader context faced by Palestinians in Gaza over the past two years – since Israel’s war in Gaza started in October 2023 – saying that Israel's attacks, "including the mass killing of civilians, mass forcible displacement, collective punishment and the use of starvation as a weapon of war, as well as the destruction of almost all homes, infrastructure and basic services, created intolerable conditions of life.”

He underscored that international law strictly protects civilians from being removed against their will.

"Palestinians must be protected against unlawful deportation or transfer, a crime under international law. Israel must comply with its obligations under international law to protect civilians, and to ensure and facilitate access to the essentials of life."

Al-Kheetan also urged states involved in post-conflict planning to anchor their efforts in human rights principles.

"States must ensure that the reconstruction of Gaza is based on human rights. And those who leave the occupied Palestinian territory must be guaranteed the right to return to their land whenever they choose to do so," he concluded.

Last Thursday, South Africa granted a 90-day visa exemption for 153 Palestinians who arrived from Kenya to seek asylum in the country, although they were initially denied entry due to a lack of travel documents and customary departure stamps in their passports.

According to Israeli daily Haaretz, an association run by a man holding dual Israeli-Estonian citizenship sells Palestinians in Gaza seats on chartered flights headed to far-flung countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Africa for around $2,000.

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said Monday that the arrival in Johannesburg last week of a plane carrying Palestinian refugees was a "clearly orchestrated operation" to displace Palestinians.

South Africa has championed the Palestinian cause, including by filing suit against Israel in December 2023 at the International Court of Justice.

Israel had previously discussed with several countries, including South Sudan, the possibility of relocating Palestinians there.