"We Don't Want Gaza, We're Fed Up": Gazans Beg to Leave in Direct Messages to IDF

A growing number of Gazan residents are directly appealing to Israeli authorities to help them leave the Gaza Strip. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported today that approximately 550 residents have already left the Strip for various countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, the UK, Belgium, and Romania.

This development follows an unprecedented public plea from Gazans on COGAT's Arabic-language Facebook page, "Al-Munsak." In response to a post exposing Hamas leaders' hypocritical attempts to flee, residents left comments begging to be allowed to leave. Their messages reflected deep frustration and a desire to escape Hamas control. "Leave them (Hamas) in the Strip, we want to get out. We don't want Gaza, we're fed up," one resident wrote. Another commented, "Is it possible for me to submit a request and give up all of Gaza? How does this work?" A third pleaded, "Take us out of Gaza and do whatever you want afterward."

Major General Ghassan Alian, the head of COGAT, addressed the residents' comments directly on the page. He acknowledged their desperation and stated that Israel is coordinating evacuations at the request of embassies around the world. So far, over 5,000 residents have left the Gaza Strip, primarily through the Allenby Crossing or Ramon Airport. Most of those who have left so far are sick individuals and their companions.

The online pleas came to light after COGAT had exposed what it called the "hypocritical" attempts of Hamas officials to get their families out of the Strip using the Israeli coordination mechanism for residents. The requests, including some from officials themselves, were all refused by Israel, highlighting the clear double standard between the rulers and the population.