1,000 Gaza Residents Depart in March as Exodus Gains Momentum

The pace of civilian departures from Gaza continues to increase, with over 1,000 residents leaving the enclave since the start of March, N12 reported on Sunday. An additional 600 Gazans are expected to exit the Strip in the coming week.

This growing trend follows Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s recent announcement of plans to establish a Voluntary Migration Administration aimed at facilitating the process. Although the administration is not yet operational, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has already reported a significant uptick in Gazans requesting to leave voluntarily.

Since the outbreak of war in October, over 35,000 Gazans have exited the region. Currently, those eligible to leave include residents in need of medical treatment and their family members, dual citizens, and individuals with valid destination visas.

While an agreement between Israel and Hamas allows one family member to accompany patients requiring care abroad, Israel has broadened the policy to permit multiple family members to leave alongside them, contributing to the increasing numbers.

Under Defense Ministry directives, the IDF provides security for those choosing to leave. Each departing group is transferred from their homes to an assembly point, where they undergo thorough inspection at the Kerem Shalom crossing. From there, they proceed either through the Rafah crossing into Egypt or via Ramon Airport.

COGAT officials have informed Gazans that re-entry into the enclave is unlikely due to the volatile situation. Nevertheless, many residents have expressed eagerness to depart, seeing it as an opportunity to reclaim their lives and offer their children a chance at a better future.

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