Several Palestinians fleeing Gaza have suddenly had their temporary visas cancelled while they were in transit to Australia, leaving them stranded in other countries.
Advocacy groups have appealed for an explanation to the abrupt decision, while the federal government has cited ongoing security checks as the reason for the series of visa cancellations.
Palestinian Australia Relief and Action (PARA) have issued a statement that they’re “deeply concerned” and that these cancellations are “leaving Australian family members devastated as their loved ones are being flown back to Egypt or denied departure all together”.
Various news outlets have reported several cases occurring in recent days where the visitor visa that was issued by the Australian government was retracted.
In one case, a woman was about to board a plane to Australia when she received the notice that her visa had been cancelled but her children would be able to board the plane.
PARA is funding flights for families who have gained safe passage, and says the abrupt cancellation of previously approved visas has caused significant distress and confusion for people who have already suffered extreme trauma.
The advocacy group also says they have four families booked on flights, including a mum with two kids, parents in their sixties, and a 91-year-old, who are all uncertain if they can board the flights.
“These people have faced unimaginable horrors, and yet this week it gets worse, with people beginning the journey to be reunited with family, only to be turned back,” said PARA Founder and Executive Director, Rasha Abbas.
A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil told news outlets the government would not comment on individual cases “due to privacy reasons.”
“The Australian government recognises that this is an incredibly distressing time for Australians with extended family members in Gaza,” the spokesperson said.
“All visa applicants undergo security checks and are subject to ongoing security assessments. The Australian government reserves the right to cancel any issued visas if circumstances change.”
SBS News has reported the temporary visas issued to those fleeing Gaza are the same types of visitor visa arrangements that were in place for Ukrainians when they were able to come to Australia.
According to figures from the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian government has granted 2,273 temporary (subclass 600) visas for Palestinians with connections to Australia between October 7 and February 6 this year.
More than 31,100 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began bombing the besieged territory, after the October 7 Hamas attack which killed around 1,139 people.
As the war on Gaza passes its six-month mark, Gazan women have continued to suffer devastating impacts, with UN Women data showing more than 9,000 women have been reportedly killed by Israeli forces in Gaza to date. The figure is likely an underestimate, considering more women are reported to be dead under rubble.
Thirty-seven mothers are killed every day in Gaza, according to UN Women. And more than 19,000 women have been injured, more than 3,000 women have been widowed and around 155,000 women in Gaza are pregnant or breastfeeding.