The desperate plight of Gazans trying to escape the ongoing conflict in the region has been highlighted by a recent investigation by the BBC. Many families are turning to online fundraising campaigns to raise the thousands of dollars needed to evacuate their loved ones from the war-torn territory.
One such fundraiser, a New Jersey woman who wished to remain anonymous, described the chaotic and confusing process of trying to help her cousin leave Gaza. Despite raising the necessary funds, she explained that “every day is a toss-up” as they navigate the complex route out of the besieged area.
The first challenge faced by these fundraisers is determining the cost of evacuation, which can range from $6,000 to $12,000 per person. Once the money is raised, the next hurdle is getting the funds into Gaza, as there are limited wire services available in the territory. Some have resorted to using cryptocurrency exchanges or PayPal accounts registered outside of Gaza.
The money is often wired to a relative or friend in Europe, who then withdraws the cash and travels to Egypt to wait in long lines at agencies like Hala Travel in Cairo. This agency facilitates travel between Egypt and Gaza, but the process is slow and cumbersome.
Despite the high cost and challenges involved, many Gazans are willing to pay whatever it takes to escape the violence and uncertainty in their homeland. However, there are concerns that some individuals and companies are exploiting the situation by charging exorbitant fees for coordination of travel.
Hamas, the Palestinian group governing Gaza, has accused these entities of profiting from the suffering of Gazans. Egypt’s Foreign Minister has pledged to investigate these allegations and take action to eliminate any exploitation of vulnerable Palestinians.
As the conflict in the region continues to escalate, the plight of Gazans trying to escape the violence remains a pressing issue. The international community must work together to ensure the safe evacuation of those in need and prevent further exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
