Massacre Paramedic survivor is being held by Israel

A Palestinian paramedic who has been missing since a massacre by Israeli troops in Gaza is being held in Israel, the International Committee of the Red Cross said yesterday.

- Hannah Ellis-Petersen

The whereabouts of Assad Al-Nsasrah had been unknown since 23 March, when workers from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and Palestinian civil defence came under fire as they tried to rescue injured colleagues in Rafah.

Fifteen paramedics and rescue workers, including at least one United Nations employee, were killed in the attack by Israeli troops.

The UN said they were shot "one by one" and the bodies, along with the rescue vehicles, were buried by a bulldozer in a sandy pit, in what appears to have been an attempt to cover up the killings. Witnesses who uncovered the bodies said the workers were still in their uniforms and some had their hands tied.

The Red Crescent said the attack on its workers was a "grave violation of international law" and called for an international investigation.