Three Palestinian women who entered Gaza on the first day of the Rafah crossing reopening have accused Israeli troops of subjecting them to hours of interrogation, blindfolding, and handcuffing in what they describe as humiliating treatment.
The women were among 12 Palestinians who crossed into Gaza on Monday through the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which reopened after being closed for most of the Israel-Hamas war. Israeli forces seized control of the crossing in May 2024.
Rotana al-Regeb, who was returning with her mother Huda Abu Abed after seeking medical treatment abroad, told The Associated Press that Israeli troops subjected the returnees to extensive screening procedures that went beyond standard security checks.
According to al-Regeb, the 12 returnees were transported by bus through the crossing until they reached an Israeli military zone where all returning Palestinians were required to pass through a screening station. There, they were ordered off the bus and members of Abu Shabab, an Israeli-backed Palestinian armed group, searched their bags and bodies.
Al-Regeb said Israeli officers then called the Palestinians one by one into a room for questioning. She said her mother, who is in her 50s, was called first. When al-Regeb was summoned, she found her mother kneeling on the floor, blindfolded with her hands handcuffed behind her back.
"They did the same with me and took me to an interrogation room — or, a humiliation room," al-Regeb said. She said Israeli soldiers questioned her about Hamas and other matters related to Gaza, describing them as "things we didn't know and had no connection to."
The women also alleged that Israeli forces pressured them to act as informants for the Israeli military and made threats during the interrogation process. The detention lasted several hours before the women were released to continue their journey into Gaza.
The allegations raise concerns about the treatment of Palestinian civilians attempting to return to Gaza through what many hoped would be a relief channel for the war-battered territory. The crossing's reopening was seen as a potential lifeline for Palestinians seeking to return home or access humanitarian assistance.
When asked about the reports, the Israeli military issued a statement saying, "No incidents of inappropriate conduct, mistreatment, apprehensions, or confiscation of property by the Israeli security establishment are known."
The Shin Bet intelligence agency and COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza, did not immediately respond to questions about the women's allegations.
The reported incidents occurred as the first group of Palestinians was allowed to cross after an extended closure of the vital border crossing. The 12 returnees were described as mostly women, children and elderly individuals.
Al-Regeb and her mother had left Gaza in March of the previous year so that Abu Abed could receive medical treatment abroad. Their return through Rafah was part of the initial group allowed to cross as operations resumed at the border point.
The Rafah crossing has historically served as a crucial gateway between Gaza and Egypt, providing Palestinians access to the outside world. Its closure during the Israel-Hamas war significantly restricted movement for Gaza's population, which has faced severe humanitarian challenges throughout the conflict.
The allegations come at a time when international attention remains focused on conditions in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinian civilians. The reported incidents highlight ongoing tensions surrounding security procedures and the rights of civilians in conflict zones.
The women's accounts describe a screening process that they say went beyond standard security measures to include prolonged detention, physical restraints, and psychological pressure. The use of blindfolds and handcuffs on civilian returnees, particularly elderly women, has raised questions about the proportionality of security measures.
The involvement of Abu Shabab, described as an Israeli-backed Palestinian armed group, in the screening process also adds complexity to the situation, as it represents collaboration between Israeli forces and local Palestinian elements in managing border security.
For many Palestinians, the reopening of Rafah represented hope for renewed connection with the outside world and access to essential services. However, these first-hand accounts suggest that the return process may involve more extensive security procedures than anticipated.
The conflicting narratives between the returnees' allegations and the Israeli military's denial underscore the challenges of verifying incidents in conflict zones where access and transparency are often limited.
As operations at the Rafah crossing continue, the treatment of returning Palestinians will likely remain under scrutiny from human rights organizations and international observers. The allegations have already drawn attention to the balance between security concerns and the humanitarian needs of civilian populations seeking to return home.