Gaza Herald – The Palestinian Center for Prisoner Studies has raised alarms over the repeated detention of citizens returning through the Rafah Border Crossing, warning that the checkpoint is shifting from a civilian passage to a site for holding returnees. In a report released on Wednesday, the organization detailed how Israeli occupation forces arrested Mohammad Hassan Salim Labad upon his arrival, adding to a growing list of documented cases.
The center noted that this arrest followed the detention of three other individuals: Shukri Nihad Kamal Ghazal, Mohammad Raed Munir Al-Najjar, and Mohammad Kamal Kamal Aqila. Additionally, Ahmad Kamal Al-Shaer was detained earlier. The report highlighted the case of 60-year-old Amal Ghazi Al-Rifai and her 33-year-old daughter Yasmine Refaat Al-Rifai, who were detained after returning from medical treatment in Egypt.
Occupation authorities have extended their detention until December 2026 and prohibited them from meeting their lawyers. These incidents fall within a broader pattern where the center previously documented the holding of seven Palestinians via the Rafah and Kerem Abu Salem crossings. The organization cautioned that such actions may deter Palestinians abroad from returning due to fear of arbitrary arrest.
Beyond detention, the report expressed concerns regarding rigorous searches, prolonged questioning, and the confiscation of personal belongings, including money, phones, documents, and medical supplies. The center called for investigations into these allegations and demanded accountability for any violations of travelers’ rights and dignity during security procedures.
The organization questioned the role of the European Union Monitoring Team stationed at Rafah. While acknowledging that the mission lacks executive powers to prevent arrests, the center argued that its presence imposes a professional and ethical responsibility to document abuses and raise them with relevant authorities. It urged the EU to clarify safeguards for returnees and establish clear channels for complaints.
Emphasizing the fundamental right of Palestinians to return and move freely, the center insisted that security suspicion does not exempt authorities from providing legal justification for detentions. It stressed the need for detainees to access lawyers, communicate with families, and challenge the legality of their confinement without facing torture or degrading treatment.
Highlighting the precarious conditions for prisoners since October 2023, the center cited data indicating approximately 9,265 prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails as of October 2026. This figure includes 3,101 administrative detainees and 1,419 classified as unlawful combatants, though it excludes many held in military camps. The center demanded the immediate release of those detained without legal grounds and called on international bodies to monitor their welfare and investigate alleged abuses.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
