As confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Assad al-Nassasra, a medic from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), has been detained by Israeli authorities following a deadly incident that left numerous emergency workers dead. The PRCS claims he was forcibly taken by Israeli troops three weeks ago during the attack.
Gaza Paramedic Confirmed Detained by Israel After Attack on Emergency Workers
Gaza Paramedic Confirmed Detained by Israel After Attack on Emergency Workers
The International Committee of the Red Cross has confirmed that a Palestinian paramedic, missing since an assault that resulted in numerous casualties among emergency responders in Gaza, is in Israeli custody.
The situation began when an Israeli airstrike on March 23 resulted in the deaths of 15 emergency personnel, including eight from the PRCS and six Civil Defense responders, whose remains were later found in shallow graves near Rafah. One other medic survived and reported that he was being held for approximately 15 hours before release. The PRCS has deemed the actions of Israeli forces as "a full-fledged war crime" and is calling for an independent international investigation into the incident, insisting that emergency responders were deliberately targeted while attending to casualties.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have responded to the incident by stating that their troops fired upon the medics due to perceived threats in the area, suggesting that some of those killed were affiliated with Hamas. However, this has been disputed by the surviving paramedic and the PRCS, especially after a video surfaced contradicting the IDF's initial testimony regarding the conditions of the attack.
Assad al-Nassasra's ongoing detention has raised significant concern internationally, with the PRCS demanding his immediate release. With 16 years of service and a family of six, his situation remains precarious, especially as the ICRC reports it has been unable to access any Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody since October 7, 2023. The ICRC has informed Mr. Nassasra's family about his detention but has not been permitted to visit him. The ongoing conflict, sparked by a significant attack on Israel by Hamas earlier in October, has resulted in extensive casualties, making the situation increasingly dire in Gaza, where over 50,940 people have reportedly died since the start of the military campaigns.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have responded to the incident by stating that their troops fired upon the medics due to perceived threats in the area, suggesting that some of those killed were affiliated with Hamas. However, this has been disputed by the surviving paramedic and the PRCS, especially after a video surfaced contradicting the IDF's initial testimony regarding the conditions of the attack.
Assad al-Nassasra's ongoing detention has raised significant concern internationally, with the PRCS demanding his immediate release. With 16 years of service and a family of six, his situation remains precarious, especially as the ICRC reports it has been unable to access any Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody since October 7, 2023. The ICRC has informed Mr. Nassasra's family about his detention but has not been permitted to visit him. The ongoing conflict, sparked by a significant attack on Israel by Hamas earlier in October, has resulted in extensive casualties, making the situation increasingly dire in Gaza, where over 50,940 people have reportedly died since the start of the military campaigns.
