Hamas Harassing those returning through Rafah is an organized crime to deter Palestinians from returning

The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, condemned the “systematic mistreatment” of Palestinians returning to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, considering these practices to be part of “collective punishment policies” and attempts to deter residents from returning to their homes.

In a press statement issued Tuesday, the movement said that returnees, particularly women and children, were subjected to deliberate mistreatment and extortion by Israeli occupation forces. This included forced interrogation, blindfolding, detaining travelers for extended periods, threatening some with their children, and attempting to pressure them into cooperating.

Hamas added that field testimonies revealed “deliberate and humiliating practices that cannot be considered normal crossing procedures, but rather systematic violations aimed at instilling fear in the hearts of returnees and preventing them from resettling in the Strip.”

Hamas called on international human rights organizations to document what it described as “grave crimes and violations” committed against the travelers and to pursue legal action before relevant international and national courts to hold the occupation leaders accountable for these violations. It also called on the mediators and the countries guaranteeing the ceasefire agreement to take urgent action to stop these practices, and to compel Israel to open the Rafah crossing normally and without restrictions, and to guarantee the freedom of movement and safety of Palestinians, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, especially as the agreement enters its second phase.