Khan Younis

Palestinian women returning to Gaza after the reopening of the Rafah crossing have alleged that Israeli troops blindfolded, handcuffed and interrogated them for hours, subjecting them to what they described as humiliating treatment before allowing them to proceed.

Three women who crossed into Gaza on Monday — among the first group of 12 Palestinians permitted to return — told The Associated Press that the abuse occurred at an Israeli screening facility located beyond the Rafah crossing, in an area under Israeli military control.

According to their accounts, after entering Gaza by bus, they were stopped at the screening point, searched by members of an Israeli-backed Palestinian armed group, and then taken individually into rooms where Israeli soldiers bound their hands, blindfolded them and questioned them about Hamas and conditions inside Gaza.

One of the women, Rotana al-Regeb, said Israeli soldiers pressured her to act as an informant and threatened to detain her and prevent her from returning to her children. “There was no beating, but there were insults, threats and psychological pressure,” she said. Her mother, Huda Abu Abed, and another returnee, 57-year-old Sabah al-Qara, gave similar accounts.

Responding to the allegations, the Israeli military said it was not aware of “any incidents of inappropriate conduct, mistreatment, apprehensions, or confiscation of property.” Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency and COGAT did not immediately comment.

Under the reopening arrangement, the Rafah crossing is operated by Palestinian officials and a European Union mission, while Israel retains authority to approve returnees and conduct security screening. Israel says such procedures are necessary for security, though Palestinians and rights groups have long accused Israeli forces of mistreatment and coercive interrogation at checkpoints.

The returnees also described long delays, strict luggage restrictions and confiscation of personal belongings during the crossing process.

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More than 30,000 Palestinians have registered to return to Gaza from Egypt, according to a Palestinian embassy official, but Israeli authorities have indicated that only around 50 people per day may be allowed back, raising concerns about delays and humanitarian impact.