Dozens of Gaza Medical Workers Remain Disappeared in Israeli Detention
The wait for Anis al-Astal's release from Israeli prison had been a long and arduous one, with nearly two years passing since he was taken by Israeli forces on December 2, 2023. Maha Wafi, his wife, had been eagerly awaiting news of his freedom, but the reality of his detention finally hit her like a ton of bricks when she was informed that he was nowhere to be found among those released as part of the October 13 ceasefire deal.
"We were discussing what we should do when Baba comes," Maha Wafi recounted to The Intercept. "What will he look like? What would we feed him, and what would we offer him to drink?" Her excitement had been palpable just hours before, but now her heart was heavy with worry.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, nearly 2,000 Palestinians were freed on October 13, including Dr. Ahmed Mhanna, who returned home to find his community devastated by months of brutal attacks from Israel.
When he finally came back, it was greeted by dozens of colleagues who hugged him and lifted him up on their shoulders. The physical toll of his detention was immediately visible - Mhanna had grown gaunt, much thinner than when he was taken.
The news that al-Astal was among those detained was a crushing blow to Wafi's family, many of whom were still searching for answers about the circumstances surrounding his arrest. Despite numerous appeals from their lawyer, they have been unable to find any information on what exactly happened to him after he was detained by Israeli forces at the Netzarim Junction.
The uncertainty surrounding al-Astal's detention has left Maha Wafi and her children with a deep sense of loss - one that she can hardly begin to describe. "It wasn't his first coordinated mission," Wafi said, fighting back tears. "He had evacuated injured patients several times." Her husband, who was among the dozens of Palestinian medical workers detained by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023, was last seen in December 2023.
These detentions, part of an escalating campaign of violence and repression against Palestinians in Gaza, have resulted in nearly 400 Palestinian medical workers being taken into Israeli custody. Of those, more than 1,700 health workers have been killed, while many others remain imprisoned without charge or trial.
For Wafi and her family, the reality of al-Astal's disappearance is a harsh reminder that life under occupation can be brutal and unforgiving. The lack of access to information about their loved ones has left them feeling isolated and powerless in the face of an oppressive regime.
"It was like being punched in the gut," Maha Wafi recounted, her voice shaking with emotion. "Two blows at once - I lost both my support and my safety." Her husband, Anis al-Astal, had been taken by Israeli forces while on a mission to evacuate patients from the north, an action approved by Israel.
But what happened after that remains a mystery.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, nearly 2,000 Palestinians were freed on October 13, including Dr. Ahmed Mhanna. But many others remain behind bars, their fates unknown and their stories untold.
The plight of those detained by Israeli forces is one that has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from human rights groups and supporters around the world. Amnesty International has called for an immediate end to the detention policy, describing it as "arbitrary" and "incompatible with international law."
But for families like Wafi's, the reality of their loved ones' detention remains a bleak and uncertain one.
"I have to continue my job," Dr. Mhanna said, his voice weary but resolute. "I have to forget all this hard period that I was in prison. I have to." For him, the return home marked not just the end of one chapter, but also the beginning of another - one that would be filled with questions and uncertainty.
The story of Anis al-Astal's detention serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of Israel's occupation and its policies of repression and violence. As Maha Wafi struggles to come to terms with her husband's disappearance, the fate of countless others remains shrouded in mystery - a chilling testament to the arbitrary nature of those who wield power.
"It can't be expressed with words," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The pain and uncertainty that have gripped her family for nearly two years is one that few can fully comprehend.
For now, Maha Wafi can only wait, anxiously wondering what the future holds for her husband - or whether he will ever return to her again.
The wait for Anis al-Astal's release from Israeli prison had been a long and arduous one, with nearly two years passing since he was taken by Israeli forces on December 2, 2023. Maha Wafi, his wife, had been eagerly awaiting news of his freedom, but the reality of his detention finally hit her like a ton of bricks when she was informed that he was nowhere to be found among those released as part of the October 13 ceasefire deal.
"We were discussing what we should do when Baba comes," Maha Wafi recounted to The Intercept. "What will he look like? What would we feed him, and what would we offer him to drink?" Her excitement had been palpable just hours before, but now her heart was heavy with worry.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, nearly 2,000 Palestinians were freed on October 13, including Dr. Ahmed Mhanna, who returned home to find his community devastated by months of brutal attacks from Israel.
When he finally came back, it was greeted by dozens of colleagues who hugged him and lifted him up on their shoulders. The physical toll of his detention was immediately visible - Mhanna had grown gaunt, much thinner than when he was taken.
The news that al-Astal was among those detained was a crushing blow to Wafi's family, many of whom were still searching for answers about the circumstances surrounding his arrest. Despite numerous appeals from their lawyer, they have been unable to find any information on what exactly happened to him after he was detained by Israeli forces at the Netzarim Junction.
The uncertainty surrounding al-Astal's detention has left Maha Wafi and her children with a deep sense of loss - one that she can hardly begin to describe. "It wasn't his first coordinated mission," Wafi said, fighting back tears. "He had evacuated injured patients several times." Her husband, who was among the dozens of Palestinian medical workers detained by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023, was last seen in December 2023.
These detentions, part of an escalating campaign of violence and repression against Palestinians in Gaza, have resulted in nearly 400 Palestinian medical workers being taken into Israeli custody. Of those, more than 1,700 health workers have been killed, while many others remain imprisoned without charge or trial.
For Wafi and her family, the reality of al-Astal's disappearance is a harsh reminder that life under occupation can be brutal and unforgiving. The lack of access to information about their loved ones has left them feeling isolated and powerless in the face of an oppressive regime.
"It was like being punched in the gut," Maha Wafi recounted, her voice shaking with emotion. "Two blows at once - I lost both my support and my safety." Her husband, Anis al-Astal, had been taken by Israeli forces while on a mission to evacuate patients from the north, an action approved by Israel.
But what happened after that remains a mystery.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, nearly 2,000 Palestinians were freed on October 13, including Dr. Ahmed Mhanna. But many others remain behind bars, their fates unknown and their stories untold.
The plight of those detained by Israeli forces is one that has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from human rights groups and supporters around the world. Amnesty International has called for an immediate end to the detention policy, describing it as "arbitrary" and "incompatible with international law."
But for families like Wafi's, the reality of their loved ones' detention remains a bleak and uncertain one.
"I have to continue my job," Dr. Mhanna said, his voice weary but resolute. "I have to forget all this hard period that I was in prison. I have to." For him, the return home marked not just the end of one chapter, but also the beginning of another - one that would be filled with questions and uncertainty.
The story of Anis al-Astal's detention serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of Israel's occupation and its policies of repression and violence. As Maha Wafi struggles to come to terms with her husband's disappearance, the fate of countless others remains shrouded in mystery - a chilling testament to the arbitrary nature of those who wield power.
"It can't be expressed with words," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The pain and uncertainty that have gripped her family for nearly two years is one that few can fully comprehend.
For now, Maha Wafi can only wait, anxiously wondering what the future holds for her husband - or whether he will ever return to her again.
. The arbitrary nature of Israel's detention policy is just devastating, and it's unacceptable that they're being left in the dark about what happened to their loved ones. It's a harsh reminder of the human cost of occupation and the lack of accountability from those in power 
. We need to keep raising our voices against this injustice and demanding answers for these families 
.
. That's just unacceptable. And for what? So Israel can maintain control over Gaza? It's not right.
. And Anis al-Astal's disappearance... it's just devastating. His family deserves answers, and they need them now.
. But until then, Maha Wafi and her family will have to continue waiting, wondering what the future holds for their loved one.
. The Israeli government's actions are a clear example of how occupation can lead to human suffering and loss of hope 
. It's unacceptable that families like hers are left feeling isolated and powerless 
. We need to continue raising awareness about these human rights abuses and pushing for accountability 
.
my heart goes out to Maha Wafi & her fam, I can only imagine how scary & helpless they must feel 
.
. The medical workers who were detained are not even war criminals, they're just doing their job to help people in need #JusticeForPalestine.
. We can't just sit back and watch as innocent lives are destroyed #NoToOccupation. The Israeli government needs to be held responsible for its crimes against humanity #HumanRightsMatter.
this is so unfair 
anis al-astal's family deserves answers 
his case is a perfect example of how israeli forces are playing with human lives 
the international community needs to take action against this injustice 
we need to keep raising awareness about these human rights abuses & demand justice for ppl like anis
& now nothin 