Khaberni - The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) stated today, Tuesday, that Israel continues to restrict the entry of aid to Gaza, and mistreats Palestinians returning to the sector via the Rafah Crossing.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasim confirmed in a statement that there has been no improvement in the entry of aid into the sector.
He added that with Gaza being affected by a new weather depression, the catastrophic conditions of displaced people in tents that neither shield from cold nor rain have worsened, in addition to the occupation preventing the entry of fuel and gas except in very scarce quantities, thereby violating the ceasefire agreement in effect since last October.
Qasim pointed out that this extensive restriction of aid exposes the falsehood of the claims made by the occupation and the Civil and Military Coordination Center about the number of aid trucks entering the sector.
He emphasized that the actual number of trucks entering the sector is practically less than half of the numbers announced.
The mistreatment of returnees through the Rafah Crossing
In a separate statement, Hamas stated that the returnees of the Palestinian people to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah Crossing suffered from poor treatment, deliberate mistreatment, and extortion, especially against women and children, at the hands of Israeli occupation forces, which they described as "fascist behavior and organized terrorism, part of policies of collective punishment."
It added that painful field testimonies have revealed humiliating practices, including leading women among the travelers, blindfolding them, and subjecting them to prolonged interrogations unrelated to them, threatening some with their children, and attempts to extort cooperation from one of them; confirming that what is happening are not "crossing procedures," but systematic violations aimed at deterring people from returning to their homes.
The movement called on international human rights institutions to document these serious crimes and violations experienced by travelers returning to Gaza, and to initiate lawsuits in international and national courts to hold the leaders of the occupation accountable for their crimes.
It also called on mediators and countries guaranteeing the ceasefire agreement to take immediate action to stop these violations, especially with the agreement entering its second phase, and to compel the occupation to open the Rafah Crossing normally and without restrictions, and to ensure the freedom and safety of travelers entering and exiting, according to the agreement.
