Women Returning Through Rafah Say Israeli Troops Bound, Interrogated Them
Three women say Israeli soldiers blindfolded, handcuffed and interrogated them for several hours at an Israeli screening site after Rafah reopened on Feb. 1, 2025.
New York Daily NewsWomen returning to Gaza say Israeli troops bound and interrogated them after Rafah crossing
Associated PressWomen returning to Gaza say Israeli troops bound and interrogated them after Rafah crossing
The GuardianGaza: Rafah crossing reopens under Israeli restrictions - The Latest
Epoch TimesDozen Palestinians Reenter Gaza via Rafah Crossing, Say Egyptian Media
Overview
Rotana al-Regeb, Huda Abu Abed and Sabah al-Qara told The Associated Press on Feb. 2, 2025 that Israeli soldiers blindfolded, handcuffed and interrogated them for several hours at an Israeli screening facility after crossing Rafah.
Rafah reopened on Feb. 1, 2025 after Israeli forces seized the crossing in May 2024, and the EU mission and Israeli vetting limit daily returns under the U.S.-brokered cease-fire second phase, officials said.
The Israeli military said on Feb. 2, 2025 it knew of "no incidents of inappropriate conduct," COGAT and Shin Bet did not immediately respond, and Hamas condemned the allegations, calling them "fascist behavior," officials said.
Twelve Palestinians — mostly women, children and the elderly — entered Gaza on Feb. 1, 2025 after one bus was admitted, and returnees said EU screeners seized phones, food and games at the Gazan side.
Rights groups and Palestinian officials warned on Feb. 2, 2025 that the reported mistreatment could deter others from returning among about 30,000 registered to go back and roughly 20,000 Gazans needing medical treatment abroad.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources report this neutrally, presenting firsthand allegations alongside official denials and contextual data. The story foregrounds women’s quoted accounts of blindfolding and humiliation, immediately pairs them with an Israeli military denial, cites Hamas and rights-group responses, and supplies logistical numbers — keeping evaluative language in attributed quotes rather than editorial assertion.
FAQ
Rotana al-Regeb, Huda Abu Abed, and Sabah al-Qara reported that Israeli soldiers blindfolded, handcuffed, and interrogated them for several hours after crossing Rafah.
The Rafah crossing reopened on February 1, 2025, after being seized by Israeli forces in May 2024.
The Israeli military stated on February 2, 2025, that it knew of no incidents of inappropriate conduct; COGAT and Shin Bet did not immediately respond.
Twelve Palestinians, mostly women, children, and the elderly, entered Gaza on February 1, 2025, via one bus; returns are limited daily under U.S.-brokered cease-fire phase two with EU and Israeli vetting.
Rights groups and Palestinian officials warned that the reported mistreatment could deter returns among 30,000 registered and 20,000 Gazans needing medical treatment abroad; EU screeners seized phones, food, and games.
