The United Nations expresses concern over the mistreatment of Palestinian returnees at the Rafah crossing

UN humanitarian agencies have expressed concern over reports of mistreatment of Palestinian returnees through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in light of the deadly Israeli attacks on civilians. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the Israeli air strikes, shootings and bombings were still recorded in various civilian areas of the Gaza Strip, causing injuries and damage. The OCHA office stated that on Thursday, Israeli forces demolished the Jabalia Preparatory School for Boys of the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees, the last in a complex of six schools, which resulted in the complete destruction of the complex. The office emphasized that civilians and civilian infrastructure should always be protected, and that they should never be targeted or used as shields of military activities. The UNDP reported that 21 returnees were transferred on Thursday from the Israeli checkpoint to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where OCHA and its partners operate a reception area, bringing the number of returnees since Monday to 98. The United Nations Human Rights Office has warned of a recurring pattern of abuse, abuse and humiliation against the returnees by Israeli forces and armed Palestinians allegedly supported by the Israeli army. “Information indicates that some of the armed Palestinians have handcuffed, blindfolded, threatened and intimidated the returnees, carried out searches and stole personal belongings and money,” the office said. The Israeli inspection, the returnees described the acts of violence, insults and degrading physical searches. The office indicated that these testimonies refer to a pattern of behavior that violates the rights of Palestinians to personal security, dignity and freedom from torture and other forms of ill-treatment.