In the Gaza Strip, 25 more Palestinians returned through the Rafah border crossing early today, some of the first to return to the besieged territory since Israel partially reopened the crossing on Monday for the first time in nearly two years. Those returning to Gaza through Rafah described a harrowing journey, with severe Israeli restrictions that included hours of interrogation, physical abuse and the confiscation of personal belongings. One woman was stripped of essential medications, along with toys and cellphones for her children and siblings. On Wednesday, Palestinians gathered to mourn loved ones killed by Israeli tank fire and airstrikes that killed 23 people in a day. Among them was a medic who rushed to help victims of a strike on Khan Younis and was then killed by a second attack on the same location.

Raed al-Nems: “We were surprised today by the targeting of our colleague medic, Hussein al-Semiry, who was martyred while carrying out his humanitarian duty of transporting the wounded from Khan Younis. These attacks must stop. International law provides protection to providers of health and ambulance services.”