GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center )Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Thursday abducted nurse Tasneem al-Hems from a medical point in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, in yet another attack on Palestinian health workers. She is the daughter of Dr. Marwan al-Hems, the director of Gaza’s field hospitals, who was kidnapped by an IOF undercover unit in July this year.
Family sources confirmed that Tasneem was seized by a special IOF unit near her workplace. Her father, Dr. al-Hems, was shot in the leg and abducted on July 21 near the International Committee of the Red Cross hospital in western Khan Yunis. He has since been held in Ashkelon prison, denied access to his lawyer, and remains in detention under extended orders.
The Gaza-based al-Dameer Association for Human Rights condemned the kidnapping and confirmed that Israel is using enforced disappearance against medical professionals. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 361 Palestinian medical staff are currently imprisoned by Israel.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Ministry of Health warned that the few hospitals still partially operating in Gaza City are facing extreme risks. In a statement Thursday, the ministry said that reaching Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Al-Quds Hospital, and Al-Helou Hospital has become “highly dangerous” due to ongoing Israeli bombings.
The ministry urged international bodies to intervene immediately to protect medical institutions and staff and to ensure safe access to health facilities.
Health authorities recently reported that 20 hospitals in Gaza have been forced out of service, with only eight functioning at limited capacity under constant threat of IOF strikes.
Since August 11, 2025, Israel has intensified its genocide against Gaza, attempting to destroy the city and forcibly displace its population southward.
