Palestinian women returning to Gaza bound and interrogated by Israeli military after Rafah border crossing
KHAN YOUNIS: Many hoped the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza would bring relief to the devastated territory, but for the first few Palestinians allowed to cross, it proved more harrowing than a homecoming.
Three women who entered Gaza on the first day of the reopening told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Israeli troops blindfolded and handcuffed them, then interrogated and threatened them, holding them for several hours and inflicting humiliating treatment until they were released.The three were among 12 Palestinians — mostly women, children and the elderly — who entered Gaza on Monday through Rafah, which reopened after being closed for most of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Israeli forces seized the crossing in May 2024.
‘A humiliation room’
The three women said the abuse took place at a screening station on the edge of the area of Gaza under Israeli military control that all returnees were required to pass through after crossing Rafah.The 12 returnees were brought by bus through the crossing, then drove until they reached the Israeli military zone, said one of the returnees, Rotana al-Regeb, who was coming back with her mother, Huda Abu Abed. The two had left Gaza in March last year for the mother to get medical treatment abroad.
At the screening station, they were ordered out of the bus and members of an Israeli-backed Palestinian armed group, Abu Shabab, including one woman, searched their bags and bodies, she said.Al-Regeb said Israeli soldiers did the same with her and took her to an “interrogation room — or, a humiliation room.” They questioned her about Hamas and other things in Gaza, “things we didn’t know and had no connection to,” she said.
They also pressured her to act as an informant for the Israeli military, she said. “They threatened that they will detain me and I won’t return to my children,” said al-Regeb, who has four daughters and a son, living with her husband in a tent in Khan Younis. “There was no beating, but there were insults, threats, and psychological pressure.”The third woman, Sabah al-Qara, a 57-year-old from Khan Younis who left for medical treatment in Egypt in December 2023, gave a similar account, describing being handcuffed, blindfolded and interrogated.
“They interrogated us and asked us about everything that happened in Gaza,” she said. “We were outside Gaza and knew nothing …. The Israelis humiliated us.”
The Israeli military rejected the reports and said, “No incidents of inappropriate conduct, mistreatment, apprehensions, or confiscation of property by the Israeli security establishment are known.”Israeli authorities banned returnees from bringing even drinking water, according to some of those who crossed back to Gaza on Monday. Each passenger was allowed to carry one mobile phone and 2,000 shekels, the equivalent of about $650, if they submitted a declaration 24 hours ahead of their travel.
Other electric and digital devices, as well as cigarettes, are not allowed, according to instructions that were posted on the Palestinian side of the crossing and shared with the AP.both in Gaza and the occupied West Bank — trying to gather information and recruit informants. Israel claims that these chack points are for security purposes.We were only allowed to take the clothes on our backs and one bag per person,” she said.
A person familiar with the situation speaking on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a diplomatic matter told the AP that returnees were carrying more luggage than anticipated, requiring additional negotiations.
The military said the luggage entry policy had been published in advance, without elaborating.Thank God that I have returned and found my loved ones,” she said. “I am happy that I am in my nation, with my family and with my children.”
Hamas on Tuesday blasted Israel over the reports of abuse against the returnees, calling it “fascist behavior and organized terrorism.” It called on mediators to take immediate action to stop the practices and ensure travelers’ safety and freedom during transit.
Rights groups and Palestinian officials warn that abuses during the initial reopening could deter others from attempting to cross in the coming days, undermining confidence in the fragile process.
The women’s ordeal came after a long and arduous day for the returnees, with far fewer Palestinians entering than expected and confusion over the rules.
Palestinians and rights groups have stated that Israeli military has been harrassing Palestinians passing through checkpoints —