Women making the journey back into Gaza from Egypt have described a troubling pattern of coercion, intimidation and loss of personal belongings at the Rafah crossing, raising fresh concerns over the treatment of civilians attempting to return home during the ongoing genocidal war. Their accounts point to an environment where fear and uncertainty are exploited, leaving already vulnerable travellers exposed to further hardship.

Several women recounted being misled by armed intermediaries who warned them that valuables would be confiscated by Israeli authorities at later checkpoints. Faced with the prospect of losing everything, many said they felt compelled to hand over jewellery, cash and personal items, believing they would be returned after inspection. In numerous cases, however, those belongings were never seen again, deepening the sense of betrayal and distress among returnees.

Others spoke of verbal abuse, invasive searches and an atmosphere of sustained psychological pressure throughout the crossing process. One woman described surrendering a bag of gifts intended for her children after being assured it would be temporarily held, only to realise too late that the promise was false. Another said she parted with treasured items purchased after a lengthy medical stay abroad, having been frightened into compliance by warnings of imminent confiscation.

Testimonies also suggest that these armed actors played a direct role in the inspection process itself, intensifying scrutiny and discouraging any attempt to document or report what was taking place. Some women said they were explicitly warned against speaking to the media, under threat of retaliation. Such accounts have prompted renewed calls for safeguards to ensure that civilians crossing Rafah are treated with dignity and protected from exploitation.