The duty to return to Gaza, after receiving a final rejection of application for a residence permit, is temporarily suspended. This means that no one is being forcibly returned there now.
UNE decided on 9 September 2024 to extend the temporary suspension of returns to Gaza by six months. Until further notice, the temporary suspension lasts until 18 March 2025.
The duty to return to Gaza following the rejection of an application, was temporarily suspended in October 2023.
This was due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and the deterioration of both the security and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The suspension does not apply to the West Bank.
To whom does this suspension apply?
The suspension of the duty to return means that, until further notice, applicants who have received a final decision to return to Gaza are not required to comply with the decision to leave the country.
The decision applies both to former asylum seekers and to persons who have a duty to return following the rejection of an application for residence pursuant to other parts of the regulatory framework.
UNE does not put on hold cases which applies to the suspension of returns to Gaza and will continue to process applications as normal.
The suspension does not apply to Dublin-cases
The suspension does not apply to persons covered by the Dublin-III Regulation, or the first asylum country rule.
These applicants are still obliged to return to the first European country in which they launched their asylum application, where their application for protection will be considered.
The National Police Immigration Service has been notified
UNE does not have a full overview of the total number of nationals from Gaza who are living in Norway without legal residence. As of September 2024, UNE has about 10 cases registered that may involve an assessment of returns to Gaza.
The National Police Immigration Service has been notified that no persons in the above-mentioned group are to be forcibly deported from Norway.