A Palestinian paramedic, Assaad al-Nassasra, has been released from Israeli detention after surviving a deadly attack on first responders in southern Gaza. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that al-Nassasra was among at least ten detainees freed on Tuesday.
Al-Nassasra, who is 47 years old, spent 37 days in detention following an incident on March 23, where Israeli forces opened fire on medics in Rafah. This attack resulted in the deaths of 15 health workers and sparked international outrage. The PRCS described al-Nassasra’s arrest as occurring while he was fulfilling his humanitarian duties during this tragic event.
Footage shared by the PRCS shows an emotional al-Nassasra reuniting with his colleagues, dressed in his bright red PRCS jacket. His family had lost contact with him after he told them he was heading to the PRCS headquarters to break his Ramadan fast. They only learned of his situation when the organization reported that he was missing.
The Israeli military’s actions during the attack have been heavily criticized. A mass grave was discovered a week later, containing the remains of ambulances and the bodies of the deceased medics. The PRCS has called for an independent investigation into the incident, as the Israeli military announced it would conduct its own inquiry, which it claimed found "professional failures" but did not indicate any violations of its code of ethics.
Al-Nassasra is one of only two survivors of the attack. His colleague, Munther Abed, witnessed his capture. Al-Nassasra’s family had always feared for his safety, as he frequently warned them that he might not return from his missions.
Upon his release, al-Nassasra and the other detainees were taken to a hospital for medical checkups. Reports indicate that many of the released detainees described experiencing torture and were in poor physical and psychological health.
The ongoing conflict has seen a significant increase in arrests, with reports indicating that nearly 10,000 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli detention, including many without trial. The situation remains dire, with over 52,000 Palestinians reported killed since the onset of the war on October 7, 2023.