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Palestinians seen with their belongings after fleeing from their homes in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on March 22, 2025. Photo by Khalil Kahlout/ Flash90
Despite an apparent lack of Arab partner states willing to accept Gaza residents voluntarily leaving the Strip, the number of civilians departing Gaza has risen over the last month.
Since the beginning of March, 1,000 residents have left the Gaza Strip, with another 600 expected to leave this week, according to Hebrew media reports.
During the 2023-2024 war period, around 35,000 Gaza residents fled the Strip for other countries, often paying bribes to be smuggled out through Egypt. Some Gaza residents were also permitted to leave to receive medical treatment in other countries.
The announcement of an increase in the number of Gaza residents voluntarily departing the enclave comes as Israel continues steps to implement the Trump Gaza proposal, which calls for voluntary emigration of most of Gaza’s approximately two million residents, and a 15-year reconstruction effort.
On Saturday, the Israeli cabinet voted to approve the creation of an administrative body designed to oversee and facilitate the voluntary emigration of Gazans.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, who submitted the proposal to the cabinet, said, “We are working by all means to implement the vision of the president of the United States, and we will allow every resident of Gaza who wishes to move voluntarily to a third country to do so.”
The administrative body, set to be under the Ministry of Defense, will reportedly work to prepare for and enable safe and controlled passage of Gaza residents to third countries. The agency will coordinate with security authorities to ensure residents’ safe passage, establish exit corridors, perform checks at designated crossings in the Gaza Strip, and organize infrastructure enabling departures by land, sea, and air to destination countries.
According to reports in Hebrew media, the main routes being considered for voluntary emigration will be through Ashdod Port and the Ramon Airport near Eilat in southern Israel. Alternative routes are being considered.
Priority is currently being given to Gaza residents who require medical care in other countries, with Israel approving the departure of family members to accompany the patient. Previously, Israel had only allowed one family member to travel with patients in need of treatment, however, as part of an attempt to increase voluntary emigration, Israel is allowing the entire family to depart provided they receive visas. Channel 12 reported that the change resulted from new instructions issued by Katz.
After prioritizing residents requiring medical treatment, Israel is giving precedence to those with dual citizenship, followed by individuals holding valid residence visa
Those individuals currently wishing to leave Gaza are moved to a gathering point a day before their departure. Following a security check by Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency), they pass through the Kerem Shalom crossing, with a final departure via one of the following routes: the Rafah crossing into Egypt; the Allenby Bridge crossing into Jordan; or flights to a third country through the Ramon Airport.
Residents in Gaza are reportedly being informed that there are no guarantees that they will be able to return to their homes, due to the conflict.
Channel 12 reported that approximately 200 to 300 Gazans request permission to leave the enclave each week.
The voluntary emigration process is currently managed by the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), however, the new administrative body is expected to assume this responsibility in the coming weeks.
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