Palestinians who had Australian visas cancelled mid-flight are ‘collateral damage’, charity group says

Palestinians carry supplies near the border of Egypt. Approval by both the Israeli and Egyptian authorities must be obtained to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Palestinians fleeing Gaza with valid Australian visas only for them to be cancelled mid-flight or at airports have been described as “collateral damage” for the federal government’s failures.

One charity group helping Palestinians to leave the war zone, the Palestine Australia Relief and Action (Para) group, said it has already had to cancel or postpone the upcoming flights of at least 70 people, including sick and elderly, and is frustrated by the lack of clarity.