Israeli authorities have released Asaad Al-Nsasrah, a Palestinian emergency responder detained following a deadly March incident in Rafah that resulted in the deaths of 15 humanitarian workers, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). Al-Nsasrah had been missing since March 23, 2025, the day of the incident, which drew widespread international condemnation.
The PRCS stated via X that Al-Nsasrah was detained "while performing his humanitarian duty during the massacre of medical teams in the Tel Al-Sultan area of Rafah Governorate."
The 15 victims—paramedics and other rescue personnel—were killed in three separate shootings at the same location in southern Gaza. Their bodies were later found in a shallow grave beside their destroyed vehicles by United Nations and PRCS officials.
The Israeli military initially claimed its forces had opened fire at suspicious vehicles approaching without lights or identification, stating they had neutralized six operatives from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad traveling in PRCS-marked vehicles.
However, footage recovered from the mobile phone of one of the deceased contradicted this claim. The video, published by PRCS, showed clearly marked ambulances and emergency responders with lights on coming under fire.
On April 20, the IDF acknowledged "several professional failures" in its handling of the event. A deputy commander responsible for the field operation was dismissed for submitting an incomplete and inaccurate report. A commanding officer involved was also formally reprimanded.
The Israeli military has yet to issue a new statement regarding Al-Nsasrah's release.
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