Don't Forget the Fate of Palestinians Disappeared in Gaza

Gaza Continues to Suffer in the Shadow of Conflict

Three months have passed since the "ceasefire" came into effect in Gaza, yet Israel refuses to fulfill its commitments under the agreement. Essential humanitarian aid—including food, medicine, and temporary shelters—continues to not reach us. The Rafah crossing remains closed, preventing those in urgent need of medical evacuations from leaving the Gaza Strip. Additionally, bombings persist, claiming the lives of over 400 people since October 10. The Israeli army is demolishing Palestinian homes, destroying entire neighborhoods.

While mediation efforts continue to extend the ceasefire, a crucial issue remains unaddressed: the fate of Palestinians held captive by Israel. Although Israel has received all its prisoners except one who is deceased, there has been no discussion regarding the ongoing suffering of Palestinians who have been forcibly disappeared from Gaza. At least 1,800 Palestinians from Gaza remain detained, alongside over 8,000 others abducted from the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

My brother, Khalid, is one of these 1,800. At 34 years old, he is a father of three. Khalid disappeared on December 3, 2023, amid Israeli attacks. That night, as we were forced to take refuge in a building, we realized that my brother, who was sleeping next to me, was gone. A few hours later, Israeli forces entered the building and separated us from women and children, allowing us sixteen family members to leave, but Khalid and our father disappeared. After 15 days, we learned that our father had been released.

A year later, we were contacted by a Red Cross official who confirmed that Khalid is alive, held in Ofer prison. When the ceasefire was announced in January 2025, we hoped to reunite with him. However, his name did not appear on the list of released prisoners. This disappointment was overwhelming. The longing for my brother sometimes becomes unbearable.

Now, his children live without both parents. Nadia, their mother, was killed in an attack at the café where she worked, along with 38 others. I miss seeing Khalid happy and free from the fear and violence that surrounds him. We are millions of Palestinians living in constant fear. We call upon all those involved in the negotiations to urgently discuss the issue of Palestinian prisoners; their lives are in imminent danger.

Dear Khalid, your absence pains us. We eagerly await your return. We will not rest until we have you back with us.