Gaza: The journey home for Palestinians returning to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt has become fraught with interrogation, detention, and humiliation. Reports from returnees and human rights organizations reveal allegations of financial inducements and coercion by Israeli forces to either discourage returnees or to enlist them as informants.
According to Anadolu Agency, only 488 out of 1,800 travelers managed to cross Rafah in both directions since its recent reopening, marking an Israeli compliance rate of approximately 27%. Gaza's Government Media Office reported that 275 individuals left Gaza while 213 entered, with 26 denied permission to leave for Egypt during this period.
The Palestinian side of the crossing was reopened by Israel on February 2, following a closure since May 2024. However, the reopening came with strict and limited conditions.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory documented violations on February 5, citing testimonies that returnees faced armed Palestinian groups, backed by the Israeli army, at checkpoints. These groups, identified as members of the Abu Shabab militia, reportedly handcuffed, blindfolded, searched, threatened, and confiscated personal belongings from returnees.
Israel's public broadcaster KAN confirmed the involvement of Abu Shabab militia members in searches at Rafah. Further reports from Yedioth Ahronoth indicated secret Israeli support for armed militias in Gaza to counter Hamas, including financial and military aid.
The UN human rights office highlighted a pattern of violence and degrading treatment, including intrusive body searches and denial of medical care, which resulted in severe humiliation. Some returnees were offered money to return to Egypt permanently or to act as informants for the Israeli military.
This conduct raises serious concerns about potential coercive measures discouraging Palestinians from returning to their homeland, which could amount to ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN human rights office in the occupied Palestinian territory, emphasized the international community's responsibility to ensure compliance with international law and respect for Palestinian rights.
According to returnees, the crossing process involves multiple stages, including checks by Egyptian authorities, the Palestinian Authority, EU representatives, an Israeli-backed militia, and Israeli soldiers.
Two Israeli human rights organizations, Adalah and Gisha, have called for an end to what they describe as a "policy of abuse and unlawful restrictions" on Gaza residents at Rafah. They have sent an urgent letter to Israeli authorities demanding the cessation of these practices, which they argue could constitute forced displacement.
Testimonies collected by these organizations describe harsh military interrogations and restrictions on movement, which have prevented many Palestinians from returning to Gaza or seeking medical treatment abroad. Reports indicate that only limited numbers, primarily women and children, are permitted to return despite agreements allowing for a daily allowance of 50 returnees.
In widely circulated testimonies, returnees describe being forcibly transported, interrogated, and intimidated by armed groups and Israeli soldiers. This has raised alarms about potential violations of international law regarding the right of return.
Palestinian estimates indicate a significant need for medical evacuations due to the collapsed health sector in Gaza, with 22,000 wounded and sick individuals requiring treatment outside the enclave. Despite widespread destruction, 80,000 Palestinians have registered to return to Gaza, reflecting a strong refusal of displacement.
Before the conflict, Rafah was a conduit for daily crossings under a mechanism managed by Gaza's Interior Ministry and Egyptian authorities, without Israeli involvement. Under the ceasefire agreement's first phase, Israel was expected to fully reopen the crossing, a commitment that remains unfulfilled.