Palestinian journalist killed, another injured during abduction of Gaza health official

Palestinian journalist Tamer Al-Zaanin was killed, and fellow journalist Ibrahim Abu Ashiba was injured on Monday during the abduction of senior health official Dr. Marwan Al-Hams near the Red Cross Hospital in the Al-Mawasi area of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources reported.

The incident took place as the journalists were covering the kidnapping. According to the sources, both were assaulted while attempting to document the abduction. Abu Ashiba was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Read more: Details behind 'Israeli' kidnapping of Gaza Ministry of Health spokesperson

The abduction comes amid ongoing attacks by the Israeli Occupation, which continues to target civilians and journalists across the besieged enclave.

In a statement, the Gaza Ministry of Health condemned in the strongest terms what it described as a “dangerous precedent,” accusing a special armed unit of kidnapping Dr. Hams, who serves as director of Abu Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital, head of the field hospitals’ file, and spokesperson for the ministry.

The ministry said the kidnapping represents “a direct attack on the voice of patients, the hungry, and the oppressed in the Gaza Strip.”