Rafah: An Israeli undercover unit has detained Dr. Marwan Al-Hams, director of field hospitals in the Gaza Strip, during a deadly raid near a Red Cross facility in the southern city of Rafah, the Health Ministry said on Monday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Al-Hams, who also heads Abu Yousef Al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah, was abducted while visiting a field hospital affiliated with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The ministry described the abduction as 'a grave violation' of international humanitarian law.
Eyewitnesses and security sources reported that armed men in a 4x4 vehicle attacked a group of civilians at a seaside caf© near the Red Cross hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, before abducting Al-Hams. The assault resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians and injured an ambulance driver. No official Israeli statement has been issued regarding the abduction.
The Health Ministry expressed alarm over the incident, describing it as 'an alarming escalation' and a direct attack on humanitarian workers. Al-Hams was highlighted as 'a leading medical voice exposing the suffering of children, wounded patients, and starving civilians.' The ministry demanded his immediate and unconditional release.
In a separate statement, the Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the raid as 'a full-fledged war crime,' accusing Israeli forces of deliberately targeting the ambulance carrying Al-Hams. The office held Tel Aviv responsible for his safety.
The Palestinian group Hamas stated that Israeli forces shot directly at the ambulance, killing journalist Tamer Al-Za'anin and wounding others. The group claimed this was part of 'a systematic campaign to terrorize and silence Gaza's medical community,' urging international bodies, particularly the Red Cross and the World Health Organization, to condemn the act and pressure Israel to release all detained medical workers.
Dr. Al-Hams has long served as a key spokesperson for the Gaza Health Ministry, regularly reporting on attacks against medical staff and facilities. Among those previously detained by Israeli forces was Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has continued its offensive on Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of more than 59,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children. The ongoing bombardment has devastated the enclave, causing food shortages and the spread of disease.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.