The UK Home Office faces accusations of misleading Palestinians in Gaza after details emerged about a new refugee resettlement scheme announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Mahmood announced the reopening of a resettlement scheme at Labour's annual conference last month. Her department stated that "around one in four referrals will be for Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees, fleeing war and persecution."
However, the organisation running the scheme has clarified that only a "very small number" of people already in Lebanon or Jordan will be referred under the programme. The new safe route does not extend to those remaining in Gaza itself.
The Guardian reports that the Home Office is being criticised for creating false hope among Gaza's population through the announcement, given the practical limitation that excludes those currently in the territory. The scheme effectively restricts eligibility to Palestinians who have already managed to flee Gaza to neighbouring countries.