UN raises alarm over abuse by Israel at Rafah crossing
Human rights officials report mistreatment of Palestinians returning to Gaza as violence and demolitions continue
NEW YORK (MNTV) — The United Nations has warned of serious human rights violations against Palestinians returning to Gaza through the Rafah crossing, citing multiple reports of abuse and humiliation linked to Israeli forces.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the Rafah crossing remained partially open for a fourth consecutive day, allowing only a small number of people to return to the besieged enclave.
Between Monday and Thursday, UN teams inside Gaza received just 98 returnees, while the crossing remains closed on Fridays.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, testimonies gathered from returnees point to a disturbing pattern of abuse.
Palestinians reported being handcuffed and blindfolded, subjected to threats and intimidation, forcibly searched, and robbed of personal belongings and cash by armed Palestinians allegedly supported by the Israeli military.
Returnees also described violent treatment, degrading interrogations and invasive body searches at Israeli checkpoints. The UN said these practices violate fundamental rights, including the right to personal dignity, security and protection from torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
At the same time, hostilities across Gaza have continued. OCHA reported ongoing airstrikes, gunfire and shelling in civilian areas, causing casualties and further destruction of already devastated infrastructure.
Israeli forces also demolished the Jabalya Preparatory Boys’ School in northern Gaza on Wednesday.
The facility, run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, was the final remaining school within a complex of six. Its destruction means the entire educational compound has now been completely razed.
Humanitarian access remains severely restricted. The UN said it attempted to coordinate 11 humanitarian missions with Israeli authorities over two days.
While six were fully facilitated, four faced prolonged delays at military checkpoints, with only partial completion in some cases. One mission to monitor aid at the Kissufim crossing east of Khan Younis was denied after the crossing was shut.
The planned missions included transporting water and sanitation supplies, fuel deliveries, medical evacuations via Rafah, and the transfer of returnees to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, OCHA said.
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