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KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE - OCT. 20: A total of 71 Palestinian patients, wounded people and their companions arrived at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, following the reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt after a 16-day closure.
Palestinians who had traveled to Egypt for medical treatment were reunited with their families after spending extended periods away from Gaza.
However, relatives reported that elderly cancer patient Amal Ghazi al-Rifi and her daughter Yasmin Rifat al-Rifi, who was accompanying her, were detained by Israeli forces during their return journey.
Wasim Sharir, who came to the hospital to welcome his grandmother and aunt, said the family had received no information about their whereabouts and appealed to the World Health Organization, the Red Cross and other organizations for assistance.
Ibrahim Balousha, who returned to Gaza after spending one year and eight months in Egypt, alleged that Israeli forces subjected returning Palestinians to searches, threats and mistreatment.
Despite the reported difficulties, Balousha expressed happiness at returning home.
Shahira Abu Jarrad, who left Gaza in 2022, also expressed joy at reuniting with her children and family after four years.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza since October 2023 has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and injured over 175,000 others, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The assault has also devastated much of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure.