Gaza Herald — Israeli forces have arrested a Palestinian cancer patient and her daughter as they returned to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing after receiving medical treatment in Egypt, while continuing deadly airstrikes, artillery shelling, and targeted killings across the besieged territory despite the ceasefire agreement.
The arrests came amid another wave of Israeli attacks that killed seven Palestinians and wounded several others over the past 24 hours, according to Palestinian reports, as Israeli forces continued military operations in several areas of Gaza.
The latest attacks struck residential neighborhoods, roads, and areas near civilian facilities, killing Palestinians in central and northern Gaza, Gaza City, and Khan Younis, including a 15-year-old boy and a married couple whose apartment was bombed.
Cancer Patient and Daughter Arrested While Returning From Treatment
Israeli forces arrested Palestinian cancer patient Amal Ghazi al-Rifi and her daughter, Yasmin Rifaat al-Rifi, as they returned to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing following a medical trip to Egypt.
The al-Rifi family confirmed that the two women were detained during their return journey, despite Amal’s medical condition and her need for continued care after receiving cancer treatment outside the Gaza Strip.
Their detention has raised serious concerns about the safety of Palestinian patients traveling through the crossing, particularly those who depend on medical treatment abroad because Gaza’s healthcare system has been devastated by Israel’s prolonged military offensive and restrictions on essential medical supplies.
The family demanded the immediate release of Amal and her daughter, stressing the urgency of allowing the cancer patient to return safely without further disruption to her medical care.
According to the report, their detention marks the third arrest incident since the crossing resumed operations approximately one month ago, raising further concerns over the treatment of Palestinians traveling between Gaza and Egypt.
For patients who have already endured severe illness, displacement, and the destruction of medical facilities in Gaza, the possibility of detention while returning from treatment adds another obstacle to accessing healthcare and reuniting with their families.
Seven Palestinians Killed in Israeli Attacks Across Gaza
Israeli attacks killed seven Palestinians across the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, with airstrikes, artillery fire, and gunfire reported in several areas.
In central Gaza, an Israeli aircraft targeted 27-year-old Karam Abu Butaihan near the entrance to al-Sawarha Cemetery in al-Zawayda, killing him. His body and another wounded Palestinian were transported to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.
Earlier, Israeli forces killed Baraa Marouf while he was riding a motorcycle near Wadi Gaza, north of the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
In northern Gaza, paramedics recovered the body of Mahmoud Khalil al-Matouq following an Israeli attack on the al-Qassasib neighborhood of Jabalia and transported him to Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City.
The attacks continued in southern Gaza, where Nasser Medical Complex confirmed the killing of 15-year-old Majd Mohammed Fakhri Hassan, who was shot by Israeli forces in the Qizan al-Najjar area south of Khan Younis.
In Gaza City’s southeastern Zeitoun neighborhood, Israeli artillery shelling killed Karam Abu Huzayma, adding to the mounting number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks despite the ceasefire.
Israeli Airstrike Kills Palestinian Couple Inside Their Apartment
In another deadly attack, Israeli forces bombed a residential apartment during the early morning hours, killing Akram Yassin and his wife, Dina Abu Bakr.
The Israeli military subsequently announced that it had targeted Yassin, identifying him as an official in the General Security apparatus affiliated with Hamas.
The attack also killed his wife, highlighting the continuing danger to Palestinians inside residential buildings as Israeli forces carry out targeted strikes in populated areas.
The killing of the couple was among a series of attacks reported across Gaza within the same 24-hour period, during which Israeli forces also struck Palestinians traveling on roads and moving through residential neighborhoods.
Gaza’s Death Toll Continues to Rise Despite Ceasefire
According to the latest figures released by Gaza’s Ministry of Health, hospitals received five Palestinians killed and 27 wounded during the preceding 24 hours, while reports from across the territory documented seven deaths during the same general period.
The ministry reported that Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect on October 11 have killed 1,527 Palestinians and wounded another 5,448, while rescue teams have recovered the bodies of 839 Palestinians from areas affected by previous attacks.
The cumulative Palestinian death toll since the beginning of Israel’s military offensive on October 7, 2023, has reached 74,485 killed and 175,567 wounded, according to the ministry.
The figures reflect the continuing human cost of Israeli military operations in Gaza, where Palestinians remain exposed to airstrikes, artillery attacks, and gunfire while struggling with displacement, destroyed infrastructure, and severe restrictions on access to essential services.
The arrest of a cancer patient and her daughter at Rafah, alongside the killing of seven Palestinians across the territory, has renewed concerns over the continuing dangers facing civilians despite the ceasefire, particularly those attempting to obtain medical treatment, return to their homes, or move through their communities.
As Palestinian families continue to bury relatives killed in Israeli attacks, patients seeking medical care also face uncertainty over whether they can travel safely through Gaza’s border crossings, underscoring the urgent need for civilian protection, secure medical access, and an end to violations of the ceasefire agreement.
