Alaa Shatila and her family had been sheltering at a hospital in southern Gaza for 40 days when they made the decision to leave. Their house and accessories shop in Gaza City had been destroyed by Israeli warplanes, and the bombings were becoming more intense. However, leaving Gaza is almost impossible without a foreign passport or paying exorbitant fees for a travel permit.
The Cost of Escaping Gaza
In most cases, Palestinians need a foreign passport or serious injuries to be evacuated from Gaza into neighboring Egypt. With Israel threatening to invade Rafah, where over 1 million displaced people from across Gaza have sought refuge, Palestinians are desperate to escape. The only option for many is to pay a “coordination” fee for a travel permit, which can cost $5,000 to $7,500 per person, a significant increase from the prewar cost of $250 to $600.
Shatila’s family needs $38,000 to pay the travel fees for six people but has lost everything during the war. They are now raising funds online to support their escape, hoping for a life without fear and anxiety. Palestinians who can afford the fees pay travel agencies, which then coordinate with Egyptian officials to secure passage through unofficial channels.
The Coordination Process
Travel agencies in Gaza coordinate with Egyptian authorities to facilitate the travel of Palestinians seeking to leave the Gaza Strip. This practice dates back to at least 2015 when the Rafah border crossing was mostly closed due to Israeli and Egyptian blockades. While the Hamas-run government officially opposes this practice, it has turned a blind eye to the coordinators who facilitate travel permissions for a fee.
For Gazan youth facing travel restrictions, paying the coordination fee has been one of the only ways out for medical treatment, education, or better economic opportunities abroad. The fees fluctuate over time and are generally more expensive in the summer than during winter months. Local fixers send the money to Egyptian officials through currency exchange offices or cash transfer services.
The Controversy Surrounding Coordination Fees
As coordination fees have skyrocketed in recent months, the Egyptian government has faced scrutiny for its management of the border crossing. While denying any involvement in collecting fees from travelers, there is evidence of a network of mediators connected to different parts of Egypt’s security apparatus facilitating the entrance of foreigners from Egypt’s eastern borders.
A travel agency named Hala Consulting and Tourism Services, owned by Ibrahim al-Argany, has been reported to control the coordination process. Human Rights Watch has scrutinized Argany’s dealings, highlighting his strong links with Egypt’s security establishment. Palestinians continue to pay exorbitant fees to escape Gaza, with some families selling all their belongings to afford coordination.
The Trauma of War
Palestinians who manage to leave Gaza face new challenges in Egypt, with traumas from the war following them. The sounds of airplanes trigger fears of bombings, and uncertainty looms over their future plans. Despite escaping the carnage in Gaza, the psychological scars of war persist, leaving individuals anxious about what lies ahead.
As Palestinians navigate the complexities of fleeing Gaza and seeking refuge in Egypt, the exorbitant fees and bureaucratic hurdles underscore the dire situation faced by those trying to escape conflict zones. The journey to safety is fraught with challenges, but for many Palestinians, it is a risk worth taking to seek a life free from fear and violence.