Dozens of Gaza Medical Workers Still Disappeared in Israeli Detention.
The situation is dire for Palestinian medical workers, who have been detained by Israel without charge since October 7, 2023. Over 400 Palestinians have been detained, with at least 95 still being held without any explanation. Among them are dozens of medical professionals, including doctors and paramedics.
These workers were detained while trying to save patients or evacuate those injured during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Many have reported being subjected to physical and psychological abuse, torture, and denial of medical care. They have also been denied access to lawyers, making it impossible for their families to know what happened to them.
Anis al-Astal, a director of ambulance services in southern Gaza, was detained on December 2, 2023, along with three other colleagues. His family had received news that he would be released as part of the ceasefire deal, but they were left waiting in vain when he failed to appear. The last time they spoke, al-Astal had told his wife that he was going to help evacuate patients and then return home.
The Israeli military has repeatedly attacked Gaza's hospitals from north to south, blocking medicine and crucial supplies. More than 1,700 health workers have been killed in these attacks, with the United Nations describing them as a "targeted destruction" of the healthcare system – a term coined by human rights groups.
Maha Wafi, al-Astal's wife, has tried to get information about his detention from Israeli authorities, but so far, she has been met with silence. Her husband had told her that he was innocent and would be released soon, but now she is left wondering what happened to him.
For those who have returned to Gaza after being detained in Israel, the experience is traumatic. Mhanna, a former director of Al-Awda Hospital, described the physical toll of his detention, saying he had lost 30 kilograms during his imprisonment. He was held in two Israeli prisons, where he faced beatings, torture, and denial of medical care.
"Their ideology is using the conditions of the detention itself as a punishment, as a tool of torture," said Naji Abbas, director of Physicians for Human Rights Israel.
The situation is dire for Palestinian medical workers, who have been detained by Israel without charge since October 7, 2023. Over 400 Palestinians have been detained, with at least 95 still being held without any explanation. Among them are dozens of medical professionals, including doctors and paramedics.
These workers were detained while trying to save patients or evacuate those injured during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Many have reported being subjected to physical and psychological abuse, torture, and denial of medical care. They have also been denied access to lawyers, making it impossible for their families to know what happened to them.
Anis al-Astal, a director of ambulance services in southern Gaza, was detained on December 2, 2023, along with three other colleagues. His family had received news that he would be released as part of the ceasefire deal, but they were left waiting in vain when he failed to appear. The last time they spoke, al-Astal had told his wife that he was going to help evacuate patients and then return home.
The Israeli military has repeatedly attacked Gaza's hospitals from north to south, blocking medicine and crucial supplies. More than 1,700 health workers have been killed in these attacks, with the United Nations describing them as a "targeted destruction" of the healthcare system – a term coined by human rights groups.
Maha Wafi, al-Astal's wife, has tried to get information about his detention from Israeli authorities, but so far, she has been met with silence. Her husband had told her that he was innocent and would be released soon, but now she is left wondering what happened to him.
For those who have returned to Gaza after being detained in Israel, the experience is traumatic. Mhanna, a former director of Al-Awda Hospital, described the physical toll of his detention, saying he had lost 30 kilograms during his imprisonment. He was held in two Israeli prisons, where he faced beatings, torture, and denial of medical care.
"Their ideology is using the conditions of the detention itself as a punishment, as a tool of torture," said Naji Abbas, director of Physicians for Human Rights Israel.
this is totally heartbreaking, I mean what's going on in Gaza is just horrific. These medics are literally risking their lives to save others and then get detained without any explanation or charge? It's unacceptable 
. And the conditions they're being held in? Physical & psychological abuse, torture... it's like, can't we learn from our mistakes and treat each other with dignity & respect? 
. They're just trying to do their job and help people in need. And now they're missing or being tortured? It's like, what's next? 
. These medics deserve justice & compassion, not silence & suffering 
.
1,700 health workers killed in Israeli military attacks on Gaza hospitals 
33% of Gaza's medical staff have left the country due to lack of security 
90% of Gazans rely on aid for basic necessities 
Since Oct 2023, Israel has attacked Gaza's hospitals over 250 times 
. These stats are heartbreaking 
The numbers are staggering: 12,000 Palestinians wounded, 1,700 killed in Israeli military attacks since May 2021 
this is just heartbreaking what's going on in Gaza it feels like civilians are being treated like prisoners not patients they're trying to help people and then get arrested and tortured 
I wish someone would do something about this ASAP we need more awareness on this issue and pressure on Israel to release these medical workers unconditionally 
my heart goes out to Maha Wafi and all the other wives of detainees who are going through this traumatic time 
? I mean, these medical workers are just trying to save lives and help people in need, but instead they're being detained without charge or any explanation. It's like, what's the point of having a healthcare system if you're just going to lock up the people who are supposed to be helping others? 
.
. Can we please focus on having a rational conversation about how to make the world a better place? 
. When we choose to remain silent or indifferent to someone else's suffering, we contribute to a cycle of harm. Let's make a conscious effort to listen, learn, and act with empathy towards those who are being marginalized or oppressed. We can be the change we want to see in the world! 
this is just so sad, dozens of medics just vanished while trying to help people in need 
. The UN saying it's "targeted destruction" of the healthcare system is not surprising, but still... 
this is so disturbing, dozens of medics still vanishin in israeli detentions its like they're bein ignored 
the way they r treatin these ppl, physical and psych abuse, torture... its a war crime 
what happened to anis al-astal, his wife is still waitin for any news about him, its like they just disappeared 