Israeli Group Covertly Evacuates Palestinians
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Mar 15, 2026 · Last updated Mar 16, 2026
The covert organization of flights for Palestinians from Gaza by Ad Kan, an Israeli group, has significant geopolitical and humanitarian implications. South Africa's condemnation and subsequent revocation of visa exemptions for Palestinian passport holders could strain diplomatic relations and impact travel and aid efforts in the region. The involvement of entities like Majd and the use of cryptocurrency for payments highlight the complex and opaque nature of these operations, potentially affecting financial transparency and regulatory oversight in humanitarian aid and migration sectors.
An AP investigation revealed that Ad Kan, an Israeli organization founded by former soldiers and intelligence officers, covertly organized at least three flights evacuating hundreds of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to South Africa and Indonesia since May. The group, whose founder Gilad Ach supported Donald Trump's proposal to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, used a company called Majd to distance its Israeli ties. Passengers, many fleeing war-torn Gaza, paid up to $2,000 per person through bank and cryptocurrency transfers. South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola condemned the flights as an 'agenda to cleanse out the Palestinians' and later revoked visa exemptions for Palestinian passport holders. Critics argue that such emigration is not voluntary given the uninhabitable conditions in Gaza, and human rights groups warn against preventing Palestinians from returning. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and COGAT declined to comment on the flights or the possibility of return for those who left.
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