The Illusion of 'Reopening': Abuse as Policy
The context they conveniently omitted: THE ACTORS: Who is involved in this story? The Victims: Palestinian women, children, and the elderly, including Rotana al-Regeb and Huda Abu Abed, who sought medical treatment abroad and were attempting to return home via the Rafah crossing. The Perpetrators: Israeli troops, backed by the Shin Bet intelligence agency, and notably, members of an
'Israeli-backed Palestinian armed group, Abu Shabab.' This latter detail is crucial, suggesting a co-opted local element performing tasks often delegated to proxy forces, deflecting direct responsibility. The Enablers: The Israeli military, which conveniently states, 'No incidents of inappropriate conduct, mistreatment, apprehensions, or confiscation of property by the Israeli security
establishment are known.' This boilerplate denial is as predictable as it is disingenuous, a standard response to allegations of abuse that has been honed over decades. THE FUNDING: Where does their money come from? The Israeli military, including intelligence operations via Shin Bet, receives significant annual military aid from the United States. In 2024, the US provided approximately $3.8
billion in military assistance (US State Department, 2016 MOU). This funding indirectly supports all operational aspects, including border control and intelligencegathering activities that lead to such interrogations. The 'Abu Shabab' group's funding source isn't specified in the article, but their 'Israeli-backed' status implies financial or logistical support from Israeli entities. THE