Key facts
- Palestinians attempting to leave Gaza are reportedly subjected to detention, interrogation, and abuse at Israeli-controlled crossings.
- Mahmoud al-Najjar, a scholarship recipient, was detained at the Karem Abu Salem crossing and his family learned of his arrest via social media.
- Many travelers are hesitant to speak about their experiences due to fear for their safety and families.
- Human rights groups have received testimonies of prolonged detentions, interrogations, and humiliation at crossings.
- The Israeli army reportedly uses crossing approvals as a pretext to arrest Palestinians.
Palestinians seeking to leave Gaza for educational or medical purposes are reportedly facing severe mistreatment, including detention and interrogation, at Israeli-controlled crossings. Mahmoud al-Najjar, a student who had secured a scholarship to study in Italy, was detained at the Karem Abu Salem crossing in early June. His family, who had already suffered immense loss during the conflict, learned of his arrest through social media, adding to their distress.
Al-Najjar's family had invested significant effort in his scholarship application, viewing it as a crucial opportunity for rebuilding after losing his father, eldest brother, wife, and four children in an Israeli bombardment. Despite having obtained travel clearance from the Israeli side, his academic journey was abruptly halted by his arrest.
Since the partial reopening of the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem crossings, thousands of applicants have undergone security screening, but only a fraction have been permitted to travel. Testimonies from other travelers corroborate al-Najjar's family's fears, describing experiences of torture, prolonged interrogations, and humiliation at the crossings. Many victims remain silent, fearing repercussions for themselves and their families in Gaza.
Human rights organizations have received direct accounts from travelers detailing hours of detention and interrogations that included questions unrelated to travel. These testimonies suggest that Israel may be using crossing approvals as a pretext to arrest Palestinians. Even those returning to Gaza have reported similar conditions of abuse during Israeli army interrogations.