UNE considers the security and humanitarian situation in Gaza to be such that no one can be returned there. However, the suspension of the duty to return no longer has any practical effect and will therefore be lifted as of 24 September 2025.
UNE suspended returns to Gaza on 18 October 2023 due to the war between Hamas and Israel. Since then, individuals from Gaza without legal residence in Norway have been permitted to remain temporarily. This temporary suspension is now lifted. Still, UNE maintains that the situation in Gaza means that no one can be returned there.
“In the asylum cases UNE has considered since the outbreak of the war, applicants have been granted residence permits due to the situation in Gaza. At present, UNE has no cases where a return assessment to Gaza needs to be made. The suspension therefore has no practical effect,” says UNE Director Marianne Jakobsen.
The suspension has lasted for almost two years. Individuals with a duty to return to Gaza have therefore had ample opportunity to request a new assessment of their case. If there are still individuals from Gaza in Norway without a valid residence permit, UNE encourages them to get in touch. The situation in Gaza remains critical, and individual cases will be assessed in light of this.