The First Days of Rafah Crossing Work.. Only 12 Palestinians Returned to Gaza Amid Tight Restrictions

SadaNews: The Ministry of Interior and National Security in Gaza monitored the operations at Rafah Crossing after it reopened yesterday, Monday. Eight citizens, including patients and their companions, left the Gaza Strip, while 12 citizens, including 9 women and 3 children, arrived late at night. They were provided with immediate care and their arrival procedures were completed.

However, the scene of return was not smooth for everyone, as media sources revealed that 30 out of the 42 returning to Gaza yesterday were denied entry and sent back to the Egyptian side. These returnees underwent repeated interrogations during their journey back before being detained by masked gunmen at a checkpoint about 500 meters away from the crossing.

According to testimonies, the gunmen handed the returnees over to a point affiliated with the Israeli occupation where they were interrogated and their belongings confiscated.

In contrast, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that between 16 to 18 patients are expected to leave today for treatment abroad via Rafah Crossing, continuing efforts to save critical medical cases amid the complex circumstances surrounding travel in and out of the Gaza Strip.