Israeli forces detain three Palestinians at Rafah crossing

Israeli occupation forces arrested three Palestinians attempting to return to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing. The Gaza Crossings and Borders Authority confirmed the detentions on Thursday evening, raising fears that the journey back has become a dangerous ordeal marked by mistreatment.

The authority identified the detainees as Shukri Nihad Kamel Ghazal, Mohammed Raed Munir al-Najjar and Mohammed Kamal Kamel Aqila. Officials provided no details regarding the circumstances of their arrests or the specific locations where they are currently being held by Israeli troops.

These detentions occurred while the Rafah crossing operates intermittently under strict restrictions. The main land gateway to Egypt remains subject to complex security procedures that have made travel increasingly difficult for Palestinians desperate to reunite with families after months of displacement.

Human rights groups warn that official permission to return does not ensure safe passage. The Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights noted in an October statement that prior approvals should not serve as a tool to lure individuals into custody without legal protections.

The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights warned that extensive screening exposes travelers to humiliation and arbitrary detention. The UN Human Rights Office documented testimonies from returnees describing threats, prolonged interrogations and the confiscation of personal belongings, money and medical supplies.

Al-Dameer called on international mediators to intervene urgently to stop arbitrary arrests at border points. The organization demanded immediate disclosure of the detainees’ whereabouts and urged that the International Committee of the Red Cross be granted access to verify their conditions.

Rights groups stressed that such practices threaten the fundamental right of Palestinians to return home safely. They urged international actors to ensure civilians can travel without facing detention or degrading treatment, as fears grow that the crossing is becoming a site of detention.