Twenty-three-year-old Hani had almost given up hope when his temporary visa to Australia was reinstated after he spent four days in limbo at an airport in Istanbul.
Last week, Hani and several other Palestinians who had been able to flee Gaza heading for Australia had their visas suddenly cancelled, leaving them stranded in other countries.
The ABC knows of at least 11 Palestinians who had their visas cancelled and then reinstated.
Hani’s family in Australia said they were concerned for his well-being, as it was his first time travelling and they were not given any answers as to why his visa had been cancelled.
He had been living in the airport when he was finally updated.
“I was on the correct path. I didn’t do anything wrong,” Hani said.
“I was worried. I couldn’t sleep. I was having nightmares.
“Right when I began to lose hope, the good news came.”
Hani said he was excited about arriving in Australia and being reunited with his family and he now felt like he was “in a dream”.
The Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA) Foundation has been supporting Hani and other Palestinians with their cancelled visas over the last few days.
PARA co-founder Rasha Abbas said the news of the reinstatement of visas would be a relief for many.
“Hani’s story resonated with our Australian community, Palestinian and non-Palestinian alike,” she said.
“I received an influx of calls and texts from people wanting to check-in.”
Ms Abbas received a text from Hani that said: “I am coming to Australia!”.
“To say we felt an overwhelming sense of relief [when we heard the news] would be an understatement — our entire volunteer network lit up and we are all over the moon,” she said.
Government won’t reveal initial ‘security’ advice on visa cancellations
In cancellation letters — obtained by the ABC — some Palestinians were told the reason for the cancellation was that they never intended a genuine temporary stay in Australia.
It caused confusion and distress for many in the community, some of whom told their loved ones not to leave Gaza in case they were left stranded in a foreign country.
Federal Cabinet Minister Murray Watt said the government would not provide details about the security advice it received.
“The security advice was that some visas should be cancelled, and that action was taken, and then as time progressed, additional information came to light which required the re-institution, if you like, of some of those visas that had been cancelled,” Mr Watt said.
“That is ordinary practice.”
The government has granted more than 2,200 temporary visas for Palestinians, and 2,400 for Israelis since October.
The ABC understands most of the visas given to Palestinians and Israelis since October 7 are subclass 600 visas, in the sponsored family stream, allowing whoever applies to stay in Australia for up to 12 months if they have a family sponsor.
On that temporary visa, you cannot work, or access education or healthcare, and are essentially a tourist.
These particular visas are granted with the hope that those who have applied will be able to return to their home country, with character requirements in place for those applying.