UN Agencies Express Deep Concern Over Alleged Abuse of Palestinians Returning Via Rafah Crossing Amid Escalating Israeli Attacks

United Nations humanitarian agencies have expressed deep concern over reports of mistreatment of Palestinians returning through the Rafah border crossing. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly complex due to ongoing Israeli attacks targeting civilians.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), airstrikes and shelling continue in densely populated areas of Gaza, causing significant civilian casualties and extensive damage to physical infrastructure.

The office reported on Thursday that the Israeli military destroyed the last remaining school under the group established for refugees in the area. With this, all schools in that region have been completely destroyed. The United Nations has clarified that civilians and civilian structures must always be protected and should never be used or targeted for military activities.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stated on Thursday that 21 returnees were transported to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis via an Israeli checkpoint. A total of 98 returnees have been welcomed there since Monday.

The UN Human Rights Office warned of observed instances of abuse, humiliation, and violence against returning Palestinians. According to the office, some armed Palestinian groups, supported by the Israeli military, have been handcuffing returnees, blindfolding them, threatening them, conducting body searches, and looting money and personal belongings.

The Human Rights Office stated that it has received reports of violence, humiliating interrogations, and searches at Israeli checkpoints during the return process that violate physical integrity. The office concluded that all these activities constitute a serious violation of the Palestinians' rights to personal security, human dignity, and freedom from torture and inhuman treatment.

According to OCHA, coordination with Israeli authorities is still required to deliver humanitarian aid inside Gaza. Out of the 11 humanitarian missions proposed for coordination on Thursday and Friday, only 6 were fully completed. Some of the remaining missions were only partially successful after being delayed for a long time.

These missions included the collection of water and sanitation materials, fuel supply, medical evacuations, movement through the Rafah crossing, and transporting the sick to Nasser Hospital.