It has been three months because the “ceasefire” took maintain in Gaza. On this time, Israel has predictably refused to adjust to its obligations underneath the deal. It continues to dam the negotiated quantities of help into the Strip. Enough meals, drugs and non permanent shelters aren’t reaching us. The Rafah crossing stays closed and people needing pressing medical evacuations nonetheless can not go away.
Israel additionally continues to bomb us, killing greater than 400 individuals since October 10. The Israeli military continues to demolish Palestinian houses past the so-called yellow line, laying waste to entire neighbourhoods.
In the meantime, there may be ongoing mediation to push the ceasefire into section two, the place the military would withdraw and reconstruction would start. Whereas these efforts provide some hope that the scenario in Gaza might enhance, there may be one vital difficulty that they’re failing to deal with: The destiny of the Palestinians who stay in Israeli captivity.
After Israel obtained all its captives, aside from the physique of a deceased one, there was no discuss of the continual struggling of Palestinians who had been forcibly disappeared from Gaza by the Israeli military. There are a minimum of 1,800 Palestinians from Gaza who stay detained; that’s along with greater than 8,000 others who’ve been kidnapped from the occupied West Financial institution and East Jerusalem.
My brother is a type of 1,800 individuals from Gaza.
Khalid is a 34-year-old father of three. His youngsters, Dyala, 8, Hamdan, 10, and Abeer, 11, had been the centre of his life earlier than his abduction.
Khalid went lacking on December 3, 2023. We – 17 relations – had simply fled our house in Shujayea neighbourhood due to Israeli assaults and had been sheltering on the Western Directorate of Training in Gaza Metropolis, close to Yarmouk Stadium.
At night time, I woke as much as the sound of heavy army automobiles shifting in. I realised my brother, who had been sleeping subsequent to me, was gone.
Hours later, Israeli forces stormed the constructing and forcibly separated the ladies and kids from the older boys and males. We had been finally let go, and 15 of us reunited at al-Shifa hospital; Khalid and our father had been lacking.
Fifteen days later, we discovered that our father had been launched and was despatched to Rafah. We had been in a position to get in contact with him, and he stated he believed Khalid had additionally been detained within the Israeli assault, not killed.
Virtually one 12 months later, as we took shelter at my sister’s home in Shujayea, I obtained a name from a Pink Cross worker, asking if Khalid was my brother. My coronary heart dropped. I requested for any information about Khalid; was he nonetheless alive? I used to be knowledgeable my brother was alive, detained within the infamous Ofer jail.
When the January 2025 ceasefire was introduced, hope returned. We had been lastly reunited with our father, who was in a position to come to the north.
We additionally anticipated Khalid’s title to point out up within the lists of Palestinian prisoners Israel was going to launch within the a number of exchanges of captives.
My youthful brother, Mohammed, and I anxiously scrolled by way of the names. Khalid’s title didn’t seem on any listing. Later, we heard from a number of freed prisoners that Khalid was being held in Nafha Jail.
When the October ceasefire was introduced, we searched the listing once more. A complete of 1,718 civilians kidnapped from Gaza, together with solely 250 Palestinians unjustly serving life or lengthy sentences, had been launched.
Khalid was not amongst them.
This broke me in methods I can’t describe. I can not totally categorical the depth of my disappointment in a world so unjust.
Some days, the eager for my brother feels heavier than I can carry. I take into consideration him consistently, about the place he’s and what he’s going by way of. The space between us feels insufferable. There are moments after I would do something simply to see him, even briefly, simply to know he’s nonetheless there.
The separation has settled into my life in a quiet, exhausting manner. It follows me in all places, shaping my days and filling the areas he used to occupy.
After I have a look at Dyala, Hamdan, and Abeer, my eyes fill with tears. Eight months in the past, their mom, Nadia, was killed when the cafe she labored in was bombed by the Israeli military; 38 others had been massacred together with her.
Now, the three stay with out both dad or mum.
I lengthy to see Khalid’s face free from concern and violence. I dream of laughing with him, hugging him and spending time collectively.
I’m one in every of 1000’s of Palestinians who’re held prisoner to fixed concern and nervousness for his or her family members held in Israel’s dungeons. We’ve all heard the horrifying tales from launched prisoners concerning the torture and abuse. We’ve seen our bodies, shrunk and emaciated; pores and skin, bruised and melted.
Israel has celebrated the return of all its captives – lifeless or alive – as a diplomatic victory, a second of closure. However for Palestinians, there isn’t a closure. Nobody is celebrating. Our family members stay in captivity.
To these on the negotiation desk: We urgently name on you to carry the problem of Palestinian prisoners again. This isn’t a matter that may be delay – it’s a ethical and pressing crucial. Palestinian prisoners aren’t a file to be shelved; they’re human beings who deserve dignity and justice. Their lives are in imminent hazard.
To Khalid: Your absence pains us and we lengthy in your return. We is not going to relaxation till you’re again with us. We’ll anticipate you, expensive Khalid, for so long as it takes.
The views expressed on this article are the writer’s personal and don’t essentially replicate Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
