A series of little-known charter flights transporting Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip to countries thousands of miles away has been linked to an Israeli organization, according to an investigative report that raises new questions about the motives behind the evacuations.
The flights, which carried residents from the war-ravaged enclave to destinations including South Africa and Indonesia, were arranged by the Israeli group Ad Kan, operating discreetly through a separate company, investigators found.
Secret Flights From Gaza
The first public signs of the operation appeared in November when a plane carrying around 150 Palestinians unexpectedly landed in South Africa. Airport officials and local authorities reportedly had little prior knowledge of the flight.
The aircraft was not an isolated case. Since May 2025, at least three flights transporting Palestinians who had registered to leave the conflict-hit Gaza Strip have arrived in foreign destinations.
Many of the passengers said they were unaware of who organized their travel but were primarily focused on escaping the devastating conditions in Gaza after years of war.
Israeli Group Linked to Evacuation Effort
Investigators found that Ad Kan, a group founded by Israeli activists and former security personnel, was involved in coordinating the evacuations. The organization reportedly used another entity called Al‑Majd to organize the logistics, a move believed to distance the operation from direct Israeli association.
Al-Majd describes itself as a humanitarian organization that provides assistance to Muslim communities in conflict zones. However, documents, contracts, and communications reviewed during the investigation suggest deeper ties between the two groups.
The founder of Ad Kan, Gilad Ach, has previously supported proposals to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, an idea that sparked intense international debate.
Links to Earlier Resettlement Proposals
Ach had publicly backed a controversial initiative promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump that suggested relocating large numbers of Palestinians outside Gaza. Although the proposal was later abandoned following international criticism, some Israeli political groups have continued to advocate voluntary emigration from the territory.
In previous statements, Ach described migration as a potential solution for residents who wish to leave Gaza amid ongoing conflict and economic collapse.
Responding to the investigation, Ach defended the flights as humanitarian operations aimed at helping civilians escape violence and poverty. He rejected claims that the initiative was intended to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homeland.
Passengers Seeking Safety
Several Palestinians who traveled on the flights said they learned about the opportunity through online advertisements or social media links directing them to Al-Majd’s website.
According to passengers, the service cost up to $2,000 per person, paid through bank transfers or cryptocurrency. The website reportedly listed potential destinations such as South Africa, Indonesia, or Malaysia but did not allow applicants to choose where they would ultimately be sent.
When travel arrangements were confirmed, families received instructions to gather at specific locations before being transported out of Gaza by bus through Israel for security checks and departure.
International Reaction and Concerns
The arrival of the flights triggered political debate abroad. South African officials criticized the operation, raising concerns that such relocations could contribute to efforts aimed at removing Palestinians from their territories.
Human rights organizations have also warned that migration under wartime conditions may not be fully voluntary, given the severe destruction and humanitarian crisis inside Gaza.
Advocates stress that displaced Palestinians must retain the right to return to their homes, noting that long-standing restrictions have historically complicated such returns.
Government Silence on Operation
It remains unclear whether the Israeli government was directly involved in the flight arrangements. However, Palestinians require permission from Israeli authorities to leave Gaza through Israeli territory.
Officials from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the defense body responsible for coordinating civilian movement declined to comment on the flights.
Despite the controversy, many passengers who reached South Africa said their primary concern was survival rather than politics.
“We didn’t know where we were going,” one traveler said after arriving abroad. “The only thing that mattered was getting our families out of Gaza safely.”
