UN: Palestinians at Rafah crossing continue to suffer from Israeli violations

GAZA, Feb. 06 (YPA) – The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, said on Thursday, for the third consecutive day, Palestinians returning to Gaza through the recently reopened Rafah crossing have faced ongoing mistreatment, rights violations, and humiliation by Israeli military forces.

In a post on the social media platform X, the Office stated that returnees described being taken—after crossing the border—by Palestinian gunmen allegedly backed by the Israeli army, to an Israeli military checkpoint.

Consistent testimonies revealed that some of these militants handcuffed and blindfolded the returnees, searched them, issued threats and intimidation, and stole their money and personal belongings.

Upon reaching the Israeli checkpoint, the returnees reported experiencing further violence, degrading interrogations, and humiliating body searches. In some cases, they remained blindfolded and handcuffed.

The Office also noted that some returnees were asked whether they would accept money to return to Egypt with their families and refrain from coming back permanently. Others stated they were offered payment to act as informants for the Israeli military.

Collectively, these accounts indicated a systematic pattern of conduct that violates Palestinians’ rights to personal security, dignity, and freedom from torture, ill-treatment, and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

This reported behavior raised grave concerns about coercion aimed at discouraging Palestinians from exercising their right to return to areas from which they were displaced, thereby further contributing to the risk of ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

Ajith Sunghay, head of OHCHR’s office, emphasized: “The international community has a responsibility to ensure that all measures affecting Gaza fully comply with international law and respect the human rights of Palestinians. After two years of widespread devastation, the safe and dignified return of Palestinians to their families and homes is the very least of their rights.”