US suspends all travel visas for Gaza residents

The US State Department has announced the suspension of all travel visas for residents of Gaza, including those seeking medical treatment in the United States, reports Al Jazeera.

The move halts a vital route for Gazans, particularly children, who often travel for life-saving care.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the US State Department cited the need for a “full and detailed review” of its procedures for issuing temporary medical-humanitarian visas.

Palestinian rights groups have strongly condemned the suspension. The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) described the move as “catastrophic,” warning that it would severely disrupt efforts to provide life-saving medical care to critically ill children from Gaza.

The suspension follows social media pressure from Laura Loomer, a far-right influencer and staunch Trump supporter, who has campaigned against medical evacuations from Gaza. Loomer argued that such flights posed a national security threat, claiming those seeking treatment in the US were linked to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

After the visa suspension announcement, Loomer took credit for the decision, thanking US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund has facilitated the transfer of 169 children for treatment in 2024, with many heading to countries in the Middle East, Europe, and the US.