Missing Gaza Medic Informs Red Cross of Detention by Israeli Forces

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society demands the release of paramedic Assad al-Nassasra, who has been confirmed to be detained by Israeli forces after a deadly assault killed multiple emergency workers. The Israeli military has not yet acknowledged his captivity, leading to calls for an independent investigation into the incident.

Palestinian paramedic Assad al-Nassasra has reportedly been detained by Israeli authorities after going missing following an Israeli attack in southern Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of 15 emergency workers, including eight medics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed they have received information about his detention in an Israeli facility and have notified his family.

The PRCS described al-Nassasra's capture as a "forcible abduction" by Israeli troops, demanding his immediate release. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have neither confirmed nor released details regarding his detention, although they are aware of the claims about his situation.

In the incident that preceded his disappearance, audio evidence suggests that Israeli soldiers fired over 100 shots when targeting the PRCS convoy in Rafah, raising concerns of a possible war crime. An independent inquiry into the killings has been called for by the PRCS, which accuses Israeli forces of conducting a series of deliberate attacks on medical staff while they were responding to urgent calls for assistance.

A surviving medic from the convoy previously reported that he was detained for approximately 15 hours before his release by Israeli forces. The IDF initially claimed that its troops opened fire due to a perceived threat from the vehicles but later revised that account, admitting the circumstances had been "mistaken" when evidence was presented.

Amid these serious allegations, the Red Crescent maintains that despite the IDF's justifications, there is no evidence to support their claims of the medics being affiliated with Hamas. The Palestinian Red Crescent called for immediate international pressure on Israel to secure al-Nassasra's release, highlighting that he has served the organization for 16 years and is a father of six.

The ICRC stated that it has not been allowed to visit any Palestinian detainees in Israeli facilities since early October 2023, following the escalation of conflict that has resulted in widespread casualties in Gaza. The situation continues to escalate as ongoing skirmishes result in heavy loss of life, with reports indicating rising fatalities since the military operations intensified after a notable cross-border assault.