AhlulBayt News Agency: Thirty‑six Palestinians arrived overnight at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis as part of the 16th group permitted to return to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, experiencing a mix of joy and sorrow after years of separation during Israel’s genocide.
Families gathered to welcome their loved ones, many of whom appeared exhausted after prolonged Israeli procedures at the crossing, including lengthy interrogations, according to local sources.
Alaa Farwa, waiting for her mother, expressed overwhelming happiness, saying her mother is “her soul and her life,” and that being reunited during Ramadan after two years of separation was an indescribable relief.
Fayrouz Farwa performed a prayer of gratitude upon arrival, explaining that she had nearly lost hope of returning. She said the approval came quickly after online registration, and although the journey was exhausting, the hardship vanished once she reunited with her family.
Another returnee, Mohammed Mhanna, shared that despite suffering severe injuries in Israeli bombardment and losing his parents and older brother, he felt deep joy at being able to return to Gaza.
Israeli occupation authorities reopened the Rafah crossing on February 2 under strict conditions and on a very limited basis, after keeping it closed since May 2024 when Israeli forces invaded Rafah.
According to Gaza government sources, Israel continues to restrict movement in both directions and has not complied with the agreed‑upon travel numbers under the ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025.
Before the genocide, hundreds of Palestinians crossed Rafah daily in both directions under a coordination system managed by Gaza’s Interior Ministry and Egyptian authorities, without Israeli involvement.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and injured over 171,000, most of them women and children, while destroying nearly 90 percent of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure.
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