A Palestinian family in Gaza has learned that their son is alive in an Israeli prison, 18 months after they believed he had been killed.
Eid Nael Abu Shaar went missing in December 2024 near Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor. After failing to find any trace of him in hospitals or morgues, the family obtained a death certificate and held mourning rituals.
Later, they received confirmation through a lawyer that Eid is being held at Israel’s Ofer Prison. His mother said she never accepted that he was dead, despite being pressured to perform funeral prayers in absentia.
Rights groups estimate that thousands of Palestinians remain missing in Gaza, with many believed to be held in Israeli detention facilities.
