Gaza Strip-Rafah Crossing/Returnees
Rafah City, Gaza Strip - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of Rafah crossing point, flag of Palestine
Gaza Strip - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Bus arriving
3. Various of Palestinians getting off bus, hugging family members
4. Waffa, returnee to Gaza, walking with family members, opening bag
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Waffa, Gaza returnee (full name not given):
"The feeling of reuniting with my family and husband after two years is indescribable. We've suffered a lot. Our journey started smoothly, but once we reached the Israeli side, it was the worst experience. We were detained plus two hours of interrogation."
6. Tents, people
7. Various of Huda Abu Abed, returnee, reading documents, family members
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Huda Abu Abed, Gaza returnee:
"Despite the humiliation and suffering, the happiness from meeting our loved ones gave us a moment of relief from what Israel did to us and what their army did to us, which they claim to be humane. I am a 57-year-old woman, a heart patient, blind in one eye while suffering from spinal problems, even so when their soldier saw me, he still dragged me away, tied my hands and blindfolded me."
9. Various of Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
10. Various of Samir Al-Manaama, lawyer of "Al Mezan Center for Human Rights" watching computer screen
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Samir Al-Manaama, lawyer of "Al Mezan Center for Human Rights" (partially overlaid with shot 12):
"Israeli authorities impose complex restrictions that violate residents' right to freedom of movement. These procedures prevent people from accessing medical treatment, reuniting with their families inside or outside of Gaza strip. The Rafah crossing must be fully reopened to ensure civilians can exercise their fundamental right to movement for medical or educational reasons in accordance with international law."
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
12. Painting
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
13. Various of destroyed buildings, rubbles, flag of Palestine, tents, people
Displaced Palestinians who were allowed to return to Gaza described the journey home as both exhausting and emotionally taxing after Israel's limited reopening of Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
The Rafah crossing, connecting Gaza to Egypt, had remained largely closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024, worsening Gaza's humanitarian situation. Its operations were limited and resumed on Feb. 2 under the latest ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Oct. 10, 2025.
Returnees said the journey back was complicated and marked by long waits.
Among them was Wafaa, a Palestinian returnee who recounted the complex security procedures she underwent before finally reaching her family.
"The feeling of reuniting with my family and husband after two years is indescribable. We've suffered a lot. Our journey started smoothly, but once we reached the Israeli side, it was the worst experience. We were detained for two hours of interrogation," said Wafaa.
Huda Abu Abed, who had been receiving medical treatment in Egyptian hospitals for two years, said passing through the Israeli inspection point at Rafah was a harsh and exhausting experience.
"Despite the humiliation and suffering, the happiness from meeting our loved ones gave us a moment of relief from what Israel did to us and what their army did to us, which they claim to be humane. I am a 57-year-old woman, a heart patient, blind in one eye while suffering from spinal problems, even so when their soldier saw me, he still dragged me away, tied my hands and blindfolded me," she said.
Human rights activists condemned Israel's violation of the returnees' freedom of movement.
"Israeli authorities impose complex restrictions that violate residents' right to freedom of movement. These procedures prevent people from accessing medical treatment, reuniting with their families inside or outside of the Gaza Strip. The Rafah crossing must be fully reopened to ensure civilians can exercise their fundamental right to movement for medical or educational reasons in accordance with international law," said Samir Al-Manaama, a lawyer of Al Mezan Center for Human Rights.
Gaza health authorities said on Sunday that more than 20,000 patients, including critical cases of cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and severe injuries, are awaiting treatment abroad. They cited "harsh and painful testimonies" from patients who have faced delays and restrictions, worsening both their physical and psychological suffering.
Gaza Strip-Rafah Crossing/Returnees
Dateline : Recent
Location : Gaza Strip
Duration : 3'07
Rafah City, Gaza Strip - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of Rafah crossing point, flag of Palestine
Gaza Strip - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Bus arriving
3. Various of Palestinians getting off bus, hugging family members
4. Waffa, returnee to Gaza, walking with family members, opening bag
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Waffa, Gaza returnee (full name not given):
"The feeling of reuniting with my family and husband after two years is indescribable. We've suffered a lot. Our journey started smoothly, but once we reached the Israeli side, it was the worst experience. We were detained plus two hours of interrogation."
6. Tents, people
7. Various of Huda Abu Abed, returnee, reading documents, family members
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Huda Abu Abed, Gaza returnee:
"Despite the humiliation and suffering, the happiness from meeting our loved ones gave us a moment of relief from what Israel did to us and what their army did to us, which they claim to be humane. I am a 57-year-old woman, a heart patient, blind in one eye while suffering from spinal problems, even so when their soldier saw me, he still dragged me away, tied my hands and blindfolded me."
9. Various of Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
10. Various of Samir Al-Manaama, lawyer of "Al Mezan Center for Human Rights" watching computer screen
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Samir Al-Manaama, lawyer of "Al Mezan Center for Human Rights" (partially overlaid with shot 12):
"Israeli authorities impose complex restrictions that violate residents' right to freedom of movement. These procedures prevent people from accessing medical treatment, reuniting with their families inside or outside of Gaza strip. The Rafah crossing must be fully reopened to ensure civilians can exercise their fundamental right to movement for medical or educational reasons in accordance with international law."
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
12. Painting
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
13. Various of destroyed buildings, rubbles, flag of Palestine, tents, people
Displaced Palestinians who were allowed to return to Gaza described the journey home as both exhausting and emotionally taxing after Israel's limited reopening of Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
The Rafah crossing, connecting Gaza to Egypt, had remained largely closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024, worsening Gaza's humanitarian situation. Its operations were limited and resumed on Feb. 2 under the latest ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Oct. 10, 2025.
Returnees said the journey back was complicated and marked by long waits.
Among them was Wafaa, a Palestinian returnee who recounted the complex security procedures she underwent before finally reaching her family.
"The feeling of reuniting with my family and husband after two years is indescribable. We've suffered a lot. Our journey started smoothly, but once we reached the Israeli side, it was the worst experience. We were detained for two hours of interrogation," said Wafaa.
Huda Abu Abed, who had been receiving medical treatment in Egyptian hospitals for two years, said passing through the Israeli inspection point at Rafah was a harsh and exhausting experience.
"Despite the humiliation and suffering, the happiness from meeting our loved ones gave us a moment of relief from what Israel did to us and what their army did to us, which they claim to be humane. I am a 57-year-old woman, a heart patient, blind in one eye while suffering from spinal problems, even so when their soldier saw me, he still dragged me away, tied my hands and blindfolded me," she said.
Human rights activists condemned Israel's violation of the returnees' freedom of movement.
"Israeli authorities impose complex restrictions that violate residents' right to freedom of movement. These procedures prevent people from accessing medical treatment, reuniting with their families inside or outside of the Gaza Strip. The Rafah crossing must be fully reopened to ensure civilians can exercise their fundamental right to movement for medical or educational reasons in accordance with international law," said Samir Al-Manaama, a lawyer of Al Mezan Center for Human Rights.
Gaza health authorities said on Sunday that more than 20,000 patients, including critical cases of cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and severe injuries, are awaiting treatment abroad. They cited "harsh and painful testimonies" from patients who have faced delays and restrictions, worsening both their physical and psychological suffering.
ID : 8466558
Published : 2026-02-18 17:26
Last Modified : 2026-02-18 21:12:34
Source : China Global Television Network (CGTN)
Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland
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