'They spat in my face': Palestinians describe abuse at Gaza crossings Submitted by Nada Nabil on Tue, 06/23/2026 - 11:07 Travellers with approved permits report systematic detention, interrogations and torture by Israeli forces at key crossings An Israeli soldier stands next to a truck at Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing between southern Israel and the Gaza Strip, 27 July 2025 (Carlos Reyes/AFP) Off Mahmoud al-Najjar, 38, believed securing an Italian scholarship would mark a new beginning after losing everything during Israel's genocide in Gaza. His hopes were shattered at the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing in early June, when Israeli forces detained and interrogated him before all contact was cut off. Al-Najjar's colleagues, who had been travelling on a trip coordinated by the Italian embassy, left without him and later informed his family of his arrest.