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Egypt

A New Diaspora of Palestinians: The Unwelcome Refugees in Egypt

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

More than 115,000 Gazans have crossed into Egypt since October, with most remaining in limbo, having no legal status and nowhere else to go. They are members of a new diaspora of Palestinians, a people already haunted by memories of displacement. The Palestinian Authority's embassy estimates that over 115,000 Gazans have entered Egypt, with the vast majority being non-medical evacuees. Many have overstayed their 45-day tourist visas, making them ineligible for public education, health care, and other services.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 115,000 Gazans have entered Egypt since October, with the majority being non-medical evacuees.
  • Most of the evacuees remain in limbo, with no legal status and nowhere else to go.
  • The Palestinian Authority's embassy estimates that over 115,000 Gazans have entered Egypt.
  • Many evacuees have overstayed their 45-day tourist visas, making them ineligible for public education, health care, and other services.
  • The United Nations' refugee agency said it can't help new arrivals because Cairo doesn't recognize its mandate for Palestinians.
  • Egyptian officials have previously denied government involvement with Hala Consulting and Tourism, a company reportedly linked to state security services that charges a hefty "coordination" fee to help Palestinians escape.
  • A spokesman for Egypt's foreign press center declined to comment.
  • Palestinian refugee children are unable to enroll in Egyptian schools due to lack of residency status.
  • Many Gazan families have been forced to spend months trying to secure permission to travel to Jordan, which hosts over 2 million Palestinian refugees and won't accept those fleeing this war.

Statistics:

  • Over 115,000 Gazans have entered Egypt since October.
  • Most evacuees have overstayed their 45-day tourist visas.
  • The Palestinian Authority estimates that over 115,000 Gazans have entered Egypt.
  • Palestinians make up over 2 million refugees in Jordan.
  • The private school that Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha's children attended cost nearly $6,000.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post: "When Israel launched its war against Hamas, Cairo was adamant: It would not accept Palestinian refugees. Yet more than 115,000 Gazans have crossed into Egypt since October, the Palestinian Authority's embassy here estimates."
  • The Washington Post: "Most of his customers and staff are displaced Palestinians, for whom the restaurant has become a community center."
  • The Washington Post: "The United Nations' refugee agency said it can't help new arrivals because Cairo doesn't recognize its mandate for Palestinians."
  • The Washington Post: "Egyptian officials have previously denied government involvement with Hala Consulting and Tourism, a company reportedly linked to state security services that charges a hefty 'coordination' fee to help Palestinians escape."
  • The Washington Post: "A spokesman for Egypt's foreign press center declined to comment."
  • The Washington Post: "Palestinian refugee children are unable to enroll in Egyptian schools due to lack of residency status."
  • The Washington Post: "Many Gazan families have been forced to spend months trying to secure permission to travel to Jordan, which hosts over 2 million Palestinian refugees and won't accept those fleeing this war."

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