Gaza Medic Detained by Israel Following Deadly Attack on Emergency Workers

The International Committee of the Red Cross announced that Assad al-Nassasra, a Palestinian medic missing since an Israeli strike that resulted in numerous fatalities among emergency workers, is being held by Israel. The Palestinian Red Crescent has issued calls for his release amidst allegations of targeted attacks on its personnel during humanitarian efforts.

A Palestinian medic, Assad al-Nassasra, who has been missing for three weeks, is reportedly detained by Israeli authorities following a lethal assault that killed 15 emergency workers in southern Gaza. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed its receipt of information about al-Nassasra being held in an Israeli detention facility. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) emphasized that he was "forcibly abducted" during the incident and urged for his immediate release.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not verified the claims regarding al-Nassasra’s detention, although they acknowledged awareness of reports surrounding his situation. The tragedy unfolded during an Israeli operation on March 23, which led to the deaths of eight medics, six members of the Civil Defense, and a UN staffer, whose remains were later discovered buried in shallow graves.

A survivor paramedic stated that he was released after being detained for approximately 15 hours. The PRCS described the incident as a "full-fledged war crime," condemning Israeli forces for deliberate assaults on medical responders during a crisis situation. They are calling for an independent inquiry to hold those accountable for the attack.

Israeli military officials previously claimed the troops fired upon "suspicious vehicles" under the assumption they posed a threat. However, their narrative changed after evidence surfaced, including video footage that showed the convoy of ambulances utilizing their emergency lights, contradicting earlier statements regarding the incident.

In a further statement by the PRCS, they confirmed that they were informed of al-Nassasra's detention but lack knowledge regarding his treatment or access to him since the onset of hostilities. ICRC has stated it has not been allowed to visit al-Nassasra or any other Palestinian detainees since October 7, 2023.

The context of the apprehension of al-Nassasra is deeply entwined with the ongoing conflict, which escalated dramatically after a cross-border attack on October 7 that left around 1,200 people dead and over 250 taken hostage in Israel. Since that period, the Gaza health ministry reports that more than 50,940 individuals have died in the area amidst the ongoing violence.