DaysofPal – The Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis received the eleventh group of returning residents through the Rafah land crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday evening. The group joined a limited number of returnees who had arrived in ten previous batches under strict Israeli restrictions and procedures.
Israeli occupation forces continue to impose measures that obstruct the arrival of returnees, including prolonged security screenings and repeated delays in processing their passage. Returnees report harsh treatment that includes intensive questioning, long hours of waiting in difficult conditions, humiliating searches, and the confiscation of personal belongings.
After crossing, they are transported by bus to Khan Younis, where relatives await them. Many are forced to live in tents at displacement centers following the destruction of their homes.
Road closures and damage to infrastructure around the crossing have turned the journey back into a serious ordeal. Returnees often endure extended waits in conditions described as inhumane. Previous groups have also reported cases of coercion and field arrests during the crossing process.
On Tuesday, the Government Media Office in Gaza released updated figures on travel through the Rafah crossing between Monday, 2 February, and Sunday, 15 February. According to the statement, 455 travelers were able to depart through the crossing during that period.
A total of 356 residents returned to Gaza, while 26 travelers were denied departure and sent back.
The figures and testimonies highlight the continuing restrictions surrounding movement through Rafah, leaving returnees facing uncertainty, hardship, and prolonged procedures before reaching their families and communities.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=72247
