Military says entry procedures were coordinated with Egypt and EU monitors and followed international law.
By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News
The reopening of the Rafah crossing to limited pedestrian traffic from Egypt sparked controversy almost immediately, as the IDF on Tuesday rejected complaints by the small number of Palestinians who re-entered Gaza the previous day.
According to Palestinian and Egyptian sources, only 12 of the 50 Gazans slated to cross — nine women and three children — were ultimately allowed to enter the Strip, while the remainder were turned back to the Egyptian side.
Several complained to Arab media about the conduct of the Israeli forces, saying they were questioned for more than two hours, had children’s toys confiscated, were limited to one piece of luggage each, and were denied food and water during the process.
One woman alleged that Israeli personnel threatened to detain the group until they disclosed who had entered Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the day Hamas-led terrorists invaded southern Israel and murdered nearly 1,200 people, triggering the war.
The IDF categorically denied the allegations.
“Contrary to claims, during the inspection process at the Israeli crossing point for Gazans entering the Gaza Strip from Egypt, no incidents of inappropriate behavior, abuse, arrests, or confiscation of property by Israeli security forces are known,” the army said in a statement.
The entry procedure had been publicized in advance “to all parties,” the IDF stressed.
Under the agreed framework, the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) conducts the initial identification and inspection of the travelers, and then there is a second round at the Regavim checkpoint run by the IDF.
The security forces check the identities of those entering against lists approved by the Ministry of Defense to ensure that those entering Gaza are not known terrorists, and carry out a thorough examination of their luggage.
This security policy was coordinated in advance with both Egypt and EUBAM – and in accordance with international law, Israel said.
A similar process applies to those exiting Gaza into Egypt, with priority given to patients requiring urgent medical care, each of whom is permitted to travel with two companions.
Palestinian estimates indicate that roughly 20,000 Gazans require medical treatment abroad.
On the first day of operations, 15 people were able to leave the Strip.
Kan News reported that Hamas operatives blocked a bus of patients at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis from leaving the grounds for the crossing while claiming that Israel had refused to allow the departure.
Haaretz reported last week that Egypt is insisting on maintaining a balance between the number of Gazans entering and exiting the Strip, to prevent a scenario in which large numbers leave Gaza while few return.
Under the terms of the cease-fire agreement, up to 200 people are expected to cross the Rafah terminal in each direction daily.
The post IDF rejects complaints of first Gazans to return via Rafah crossing appeared first on World Israel News.