✈️🇺🇸 US deports Palestinians to West Bank on private flights
Oneliner
The U.S. has deported Palestinian citizens to the West Bank using private charter flights owned by Trump associate Gil Dezer. Two flights organized by ICE took place in January and February 2026, carrying deportees, some of whom had legal residency in the U.S. The operation has raised significant human rights concerns, with critics highlighting the lack of transparency and accountability in the deportation process. Families have been fractured, as many deportees left behind partners and children in the U.S.
Key points
- Two private flights deported Palestinians to the West Bank in January and February 2026.
- The flights were chartered by ICE using a jet owned by Trump associate Gil Dezer.
- Deportees included individuals with prior legal residency in the US, raising human rights concerns.
- The operation has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability.
Links
Facts
- Two private flights deported Palestinians on January 20 and February 2, 2026.
- The flights were chartered by ICE using a Gulfstream IV jet owned by Gil Dezer.
- Eight deportees were on the first flight, with an unknown number on the second.
- Deportees included individuals with green cards and established families in the U.S.
- The estimated cost of the first flight could reach €400,000.
Quotes
- Everything I know and everything I’ve lived is in the US — Maher Awad
- I was struck to see them walking toward my house — Mohammad Kaanan
Justification
- We reviewed 2 verified sources to assemble this distillation.
- Our relevance model assessed the public-interest weight of this topic at 5.00.
- AI narrative synopsis: Investigative reports that the US carried out deportations of Palestinian residents to the West Bank on private charter flights owned by a Trump associate (Gil Dezer); flights organised by ICE, concerns raised about legal status of deportees, human rights implications and use of private aircraft in enforcement operations.
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Score
- Classification: critical for public life (anchored in Other (specify)).
- Freshness: 100%.
- Novelty: 100%.
- Density: 67%.
- Weighted salience: 87%.
- Why it matters: High importance and novelty; significant human rights implications.
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Article
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The United States has recently deported Palestinian citizens to the West Bank using private charter flights, raising significant human rights concerns. According to a joint investigation by The Guardian and +972 Magazine, two flights were organized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and utilized a Gulfstream IV jet owned by Gil Dezer, a real estate magnate and friend of former President Donald Trump.
Details of the flights
The first flight took place on January 20, 2026, departing from Phoenix, Arizona, with eight deportees on board. After refueling in Ireland and Bulgaria, the aircraft landed in Tel Aviv on January 21. Upon arrival, the deportees were transferred to the Israel Prison Service and subsequently released at a military checkpoint in the West Bank. A second flight occurred on February 2, 2026, carrying an unknown number of Palestinians.
Human impact
The deportees included individuals who had lived in the U.S. for years, some holding green cards. Maher Awad, a 24-year-old who had spent nearly a decade in Michigan, expressed despair over leaving his partner and newborn son behind. Another deportee, Sameer Zeidan, had a family of U.S. citizens in Louisiana. The deportations have left many families fractured, with some deportees having been presumed missing during their detention.
Legal and ethical concerns
The use of private jets for deportations has drawn criticism for its opacity and potential violation of due process. Human Rights First (HRF) has described the operation as part of an unprecedented mass deportation agenda, highlighting the lack of accountability and the separation of families. The flights reportedly cost between €6,000 and €22,000 per hour, with estimates suggesting the total cost for the first flight could reach €400,000.
Official responses
While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not commented specifically on these flights, it maintains that individuals determined to be in the U.S. illegally will be removed. The Israeli government has also remained largely silent, with security sources noting that such deportations are unusual, as they typically occur via commercial airlines.
Conclusion
The deportation of Palestinians on private flights raises critical questions about the legality and morality of U.S. immigration practices, particularly regarding the treatment of individuals with established ties to the country. As investigations continue, the implications for human rights and family unity remain a pressing concern.