The authorities in Australia canceled at least 2,000 visas previously issued to Gazans who were trying to escape the war zone, VisaGuide reported on Sunday.

The Australian government has told the Palestinians that they never intended a genuine temporary stay in Australia, according to cancellation letters sent to some of the refugees.

The major U-turn by the Australian government has triggered an outcry as it continues to issue similar visas to Israeli citizens.

The Australian government issued 2,273 temporary visas (subclass 600) to Palestinians and 2,415 visitor visas were issued to individuals with Israeli citizenship between October 7, 2023 and February 6, 2024.

The temporary stay visa bars holders from working, education, or receiving health care in Australia.

The subclass 600 visas were issued to allow refugees to come to Australia to reunite with their families.

Read: Hamas issues ceasefire proposal including prisoners’ exchange deal to mediators

Advocates are pressing the federal Government for clarification regarding the cancellation of multiple visas for individuals trying to leave Gaza.

According to SBS News, a Palestinian woman received a visa cancellation notice as she was preparing to board a flight to Australia while in other cases, visas were cancelled en route to Australia.