According to a report by Middle East Eye, Hala Consulting, which holds a monopoly on transfer services at the Rafah crossing—the only exit from Gaza not controlled by Israel—has been charging $5,000 per adult and $2,500 for children under 16. Over the past three months alone, the company is estimated to have made a minimum of $118 million, exploiting the urgent need of desperate Palestinians trying to leave the war-torn region.
In the face of escalating profits, the company reportedly doubled its earnings in April, drawing in over $58 million from approximately 10,136 adults and 2,910 children who crossed the border under its “VIP list” service.
Egyptian writer and Sinai expert Mohannad Sabry criticized the relationship between state and private enterprise that allows such profiteering. “Organi is a front for the state and military-owned businesses and their policies in Egypt. He is a cog in this dark, corrupt machine operating with impunity,” Sabry told Middle East Eye.
Despite international media scrutiny and previous promises by Egyptian officials to investigate, the company’s practices continue unabated. In February, Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry was quoted saying, “There should be no advantage taken out of this situation for monetary gain,” yet the high fees persist.
Human Rights Watch researcher Amr Magdy emphasized the need for a transparent system. “Egypt should investigate those practices by Hala Company and ensure that people can travel through a rights-respecting, transparent system,” Magdy said, highlighting the broader implications of these practices on human rights.
The report raises significant concerns about the ethical implications of profiting from humanitarian crises and the responsibilities of governments and private enterprises in such situations.
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