Two Gazan women who passed through the newly reopened Rafah crossing with Egypt on Monday have told the BBC that a local Palestinian militia linked to Israel carried out checks at an Israeli military checkpoint inside the Gaza Strip. Lamia Rabia, who was travelling with her children, said they were escorted by Israeli forces from the border to a nearby checkpoint where members of the Abu Shabab militia, also known as the Popular Forces, searched them and their belongings. 'There was a woman from the Abu Shabab group who conducted the searches on the women,' she told the BBC. 'They didn't speak with us, they only searched us and then we went to the Israelis, who questioned us.' Rabia expressed that while her overall experience was relatively easy, others reported being mistreated, alleging beatings and verbal abuse from the militia. The interplay between Israeli forces and the militia raises serious questions about the dynamics at the Rafah border crossing and the ongoing challenges faced by those seeking passage. With only 12 of the planned 50 patients allowed across on the reopening day, the situation remains tense, underscoring the bureaucratic hurdles and security restrictions that complicate movement in and out of Gaza.
Challenges Faced by Gazans at Rafah Crossing Amid Reopened Border
Challenges Faced by Gazans at Rafah Crossing Amid Reopened Border
As the Rafah crossing with Egypt reopens, Gazans recount their experiences of security checks by militia groups, highlighting the complex dynamics at the border.
Recent accounts from two Gazan women reveal the challenges faced at the Rafah crossing, including security checks conducted by the Abu Shabab militia in collaboration with Israeli forces. This has raised questions regarding the coordination between local militias and the Israeli military along with serious concerns about the treatment of individuals passing through the crossing.
