Brig. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi
Military Advocate General
Israel Defence Forces
Fax: +972(0)35694526
Email: pazar@idf.il

Dear Brig. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi,

I am writing to urge you to order the immediate release of Palestinian surgeon Khaled Al Serr from the occupied Gaza Strip, who has been held by Israeli authorities in conditions that amount to enforced disappearance since 24 March 2024.

According to his colleagues, Dr. Khaled Al Serr, 32, was detained from Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip as the Israeli military, having fully encircled the hospital, raided its premises. As far as Amnesty is aware Dr. Khaled Al Serr was acting in accordance with his duties as a medical professional and he should have been respected and protected as such. A released detainee, who was held along with Dr. Khaled Al Serr, reported to the media that he witnessed the torture of Dr. Khaled Al Serr which included plucking his beard with pliers. Testimonies collected by Amnesty International and other independent human rights organizations from Palestinian health workers detained and recently released indicate that Israeli authorities – both the military and the Israeli prison service – are routinely subjecting detained health workers to torture and other ill-treatment.

A dedicated and talented young surgeon, Dr. Khaled Al Serr was one of the health workers who decided to remain at Nasser hospital to tend to the patients even while it was being encircled by the Israeli military. According to the World Health Organization, at least 214 health workers have been detained by Israeli forces while on duty since November 2023. According to the Palestinian Health ministry, at least 106 health workers are either detained or missing, many in conditions that amount to enforce disappearance.

Enforced disappearance is a gross human rights violation and crime under international law. When perpetrated as part of a widespread or systematic attack on the civilian population, they may constitute crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Torture and other ill-treatment are absolutely prohibited under international law and can constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Arbitrary detention also violates Israel’s obligations under international human rights law and humanitarian law.

Additionally, in a situation of armed conflict, health workers and healthcare facilities carrying out their humanitarian duties must be respected and protected and must never be deliberately targeted.

Therefore, I urge you to secure the release of Dr. Khaled Al Serr and to disclose the fate, whereabouts and legal status of all other Palestinian health workers who have been forcibly disappeared in Israeli custody. All those who are arbitrarily detained must be released immediately. Pending his release, I call on you to ensure that the prison authorities immediately inform Dr. Khaled Al Serr’s family of his whereabouts, fate and grounds of arrest, if any.

Yours sincerely,