Recent reports indicate that the United States has been conducting covert operations to deport Palestinians arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the occupied West Bank. This operation, revealed through an investigation by +972 Magazine and The Guardian, involves chartering private jets to facilitate these transfers.
On January 21, 2026, eight Palestinian men were flown from Phoenix, Arizona, to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv via a private jet owned by Israeli-American tycoon Gil Dezer, known for his close ties to President Donald Trump. Upon arrival, they were shackled and subsequently released at a military checkpoint near the Palestinian town of Ni'lin. Reports describe the men as having been upbeat yet anxious, as they had been out of contact with their families for prolonged periods during detention.
The legal ramifications of this practice are severe. Many immigration attorneys and human rights advocates express shock, noting that such deportations have been rare and potentially illegal. The principle of non-refoulement—which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they might face persecution or irreparable harm—is a central point of contention.
Gissou Nia, director of the Strategic Litigation Project at the Atlantic Council, emphasized that the actions of the U.S. government violate international treaties, including the Convention Against Torture. Nia highlighted that the U.S. is legally bound not to deport individuals facing real risk of harm.
The operation has become politically sensitive, especially given the heightened tensions in the occupied territories. Following the first deportation flight, the United Nations reported an uptick in violence from Israeli settlers, raising concerns about additional risks for those deported.
This situation has complicated the relationship between the U.S., Israel, and Palestinian communities, intensifying scrutiny of U.S. immigration policies and their implications for human rights and international law. As news of these deportations spreads, the actions taken by the U.S. government may impact its standing globally and fuel further debates about the treatment of Palestinians both in the U.S. and abroad.