Militia Checks Mark Return of Gazans Through Rafah Crossing

Wed Apr 15 2026 17:22:33 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Recent reports highlight the involvement of the Abu Shabab militia in the security checks of Palestinians returning to Gaza, raising concerns about control and safety at the Rafah crossing.

Gazan returns through the reopened Rafah crossing have been marred by reports of local militia checks. Two women detailed their experiences of being searched by the Abu Shabab militia, amid claims of coordination with Israeli forces. Despite promises of smoother operations, only a fraction of travelers were able to return, highlighting ongoing tensions and bureaucratic hurdles at the border.

On Monday, two Gazan women reported unsettling experiences at the Rafah crossing, the main border point for Palestinians traveling between Gaza and Egypt. They described being subjected to security checks by a local militia known as Abu Shabab, which operates under Israeli military control and claims to be anti-Hamas.

Lamia Rabia, who was traveling with her children, recounted their encounter, explaining that they were initially escorted by Israeli forces to a checkpoint where militia members conducted searches of them and their belongings.

There was a woman from the Abu Shabab group who conducted the searches on the women, Rabia shared with BBC reporters. The militia did not engage in conversation, focusing solely on their searching procedures before directing them to Israeli officials for questioning.

Rabia further confirmed the observation that the Israelis and the Abu Shabab group were present together, suggesting a level of coordination between the two.
The BBC reached out to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet internal security agency for comments regarding these allegations, but they refrained from providing responses.

The Abu Shabab militia has emerged amid the complex security landscape of Gaza, receiving backing from Israel while wielding influence in local affairs. Ghassan al-Dheini, the militia leader, stated this week that his group would play a crucial role in ensuring security at the Rafah crossing.

In an alarming turn, one of the women, who remained unnamed for safety reasons, disclosed that she was mistreated by militia members, alleging beatings and abusive treatment during the search process. This experience starkly contrasted Rabia's ordeal, which she described as swift and relatively uneventful.

Additionally, the reopening of the Rafah crossing has been fraught with operational inefficiencies. Despite plans indicating that up to 50 people could travel in either direction daily, only 12 Palestinians managed to return to Gaza on that day. Many were turned back without clear explanations.

Reports from European officials monitoring the crossing indicated possible plans to enhance security measures due to harsh treatment allegations prevalent at the checkpoint. The confiscation of personal belongings such as perfumes and electronics by EU officials was also reported, raising questions about the intersection of humanitarian efforts and security practices at Rafah.

The situation casts a spotlight on the ongoing struggles within Gaza regarding governance, highlighting an intricate web of militia control and the pervasive influence of both Israeli and Palestinian entities in the region.