Israel's travel restrictions hinder Palestinian families from reuniting with exiled loved ones

Israel's travel restrictions have prevented Palestinian detainees, like Amjad Hamad, from reuniting with their families after deportation. Released on January 2025, Amjad was deported to Egypt, leaving behind his children, Akram and Julia, who have never met him. This situation highlights the ongoing struggle of families separated by political conflict.

Impact of Deportation on Palestinian Families

Amjad Hamad, originally from Silwad, was a father to two children before his imprisonment in 2015. He was part of a prisoner exchange deal that saw him released alongside 228 other Palestinians. Despite his freedom, he remains separated from Akram and Julia due to Israeli restrictions on travel and visitation rights.

“A significant part of this freedom remained incomplete because the first meeting with my family didn’t happen as I had imagined,” Amjad told Al Jazeera. His story is emblematic of the broader issue faced by many Palestinian families.

Challenges in Family Reunification

Another case is that of Bushra, a ten-year-old girl who has never met her father, Ahmed Hamed, deported to Egypt after spending 22 years in prison. Despite regular phone calls, the family has faced repeated denials from Israeli authorities for travel permissions.

“We understand that the issue is not simple and that it transcends the legal framework to a complex political and security reality,” Amjad stated, emphasizing the need for family reunification as a fundamental right.

Tragic Stories of Separation

The situation becomes even more tragic when considering cases like that of Riyad al-Amour, who was denied a burial in his native West Bank after his death following deportation. Riyad, who spent 23 years in Israeli detention, died in a hospital in Egypt without his family by his side.

“This is our sad, short story as Palestinians – even after his death, we are denied the right to stand at his grave,” said Majed, Riyad's brother. Such stories illustrate the profound emotional toll of these policies on families.

• Amjad Hamad: Deported after 10 years in prison
• Bushra: Never met her father, deported after 22 years
• Riyad al-Amour: Died in Egypt, denied burial in West Bank