The Israeli occupation army escalated its field violations in the Gaza Strip today, Friday, as engineering units carried out extensive demolition operations of residential buildings in the Al-Tahlia area, east of Khan Yunis city. These military movements fall within the areas of deployment of occupation forces specified by previous understandings, raising fears of a geographical change in the region.
In Gaza City, occupation drones launched attacks targeting citizens' homes around the Al-Zaytoun Club, east of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, by directly dropping explosive bombs. Field sources confirmed that these targeting incidents occurred in areas outside the agreed-upon army deployment zone, representing a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement in effect since last October.
The aggressions were not limited to land but extended to the Palestinian coasts, where Israeli warships opened fire with their machine guns towards fishing boats and beaches off Gaza City. Despite no human casualties in this naval attack, it caused a state of panic among citizens trying to resume their livelihoods.
On the human rights front, legal institutions within the occupied territories directed sharp criticism at the occupation authorities, demanding an immediate halt to the systematic abuse policies practiced against Palestinians. The 'Adalah' Center and the 'Gisha' Center affirmed in a joint statement that the restrictions imposed on travelers' movement through the Rafah crossing lack any legal cover and aim to restrict the residents.
An urgent message addressed to the Minister of War and the Legal Advisor to the Israeli government clarified that what is happening at the Palestinian-Egyptian border is a process of 'forced displacement' disguised as security measures. The two centers stressed the necessity of canceling all impossible conditions that prevent thousands of those stranded outside the Strip from returning to their homes and families normally.
The occupation authorities had reopened the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing at the beginning of February, after months of closure since its military takeover in May 2024. However, reports described the opening as 'formal and very limited,' as it is subject to strict security control that prevents the vast majority from crossing.
Field data indicates that the occupation imposes complex prior security approvals for anyone wishing to enter or exit, with a daily quota not exceeding 50 people. This measure has deprived hundreds of wounded and sick people from traveling to receive necessary treatment, and has also left thousands of Palestinians stranded in diaspora countries with no prospect of return.
Human rights organizations conveyed shocking testimonies from returnees who managed to cross, stating that they were subjected to humiliating treatment, including blindfolding and handcuffing for long hours. The testimonies also included confiscation of personal belongings and money, as part of the collective punishment policy practiced by the forces present at the border point.
Reports revealed cooperation between the occupation army and armed groups within the Strip to secure the transfer of some returnees to special interrogation centers under army control. In these centers, citizens are subjected to harsh interrogations and security pressures, including threats of administrative detention or denial of return if they do not cooperate with intelligence agencies.
Human rights organizations concluded their statement by warning against the continuation of these violations that disregard international and humanitarian laws, emphasizing that international silence on these practices encourages the occupation to proceed with turning crossings into tools of torture and political and security extortion against unarmed civilians.
Israeli measures at the Rafah crossing represent a policy of abuse and illegal restrictions that amount to forced displacement.
شارك برأيك
Israeli Violations in Gaza and Human Rights Condemnation of the Abuse of Palestinians at the Rafah Crossing