In a message released by the official SANA news agency, the minister reported that the accused was captured after a “successful” security operation in the central province of Hama and is in the custody of the authorities.

According to reports, images circulating on digital platforms allegedly show Youssef being detained by security forces.

The massacre, which occurred on Nasreen Street, near the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, remained unsolved for years until 2022 when the British newspaper The Guardian published a video documenting the execution of civilians.

The images showed men in military uniforms forcing blindfolded and bound victims to run before being shot and thrown into a mass grave, where their bodies were later incinerated.

Independent investigations identified Youssef as one of those directly responsible for these acts, following a verification process that lasted several years.

After the announcement of his arrest, activists and human rights defenders reacted on social media, describing the detention as a significant step toward accountability and justice for the victims.

Various voices also emphasized the need to bring all those involved in the massacre to justice and ensure that the crimes do not go unpunished.

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