Gaza Herald – Israeli occupation forces have detained a Gaza-based academic, the only surviving member of his immediate family, while he was traveling through the Kerem Shalom crossing en route to Italy to continue his university studies after months of waiting for travel clearance.
According to family sources, Dr. Mahmoud Talal Al-Najjar was arrested by Israeli forces during his departure and transferred to an undisclosed location. His family says they have received no information regarding his whereabouts or legal status, raising serious concerns over his safety.
The sources noted that the University of Rome Tor Vergata had been expecting his arrival to complete his medical specialization, part of a long-awaited academic path he hoped would eventually enable him to return and serve his community in Gaza.
Al-Najjar is the sole surviving member of his family following the killing of his wife, Alaa Salem, and their four children, Rinat, Yazan, Mohammed, and Omar, as well as his brother, his uncle, and their families in an Israeli airstrike on their home on October 25, 2024.
Despite the devastating loss, he continued his academic work, completing three scientific research papers and persisting in his efforts to secure permission to travel abroad for his studies.
His detention has raised concerns among relatives and observers about the treatment of Gaza residents attempting to leave the territory for education, medical care, or humanitarian reasons.
