Oxfam Condemns Killing of Staff Partner and family Amidst Escalating Attacks on Gaza Healthcare
gaza – Oxfam has expressed “deep shock” following the death of tasneem, a 27-year-old psychologist working with partner association Juzoor for Health and Community Development, along with her two children, Sham (5) and Suleiman (3), in an Israeli air strike on September 20th. Tasneem was also pregnant at the time of her death and had previously lost a son, muslam, in a prior bombardment last year. Her husband remains critically injured.
“Tasneem was a courageous and devoted humanitarian,” stated Dr.Umiayeh Khammash, Director of Juzoor, “Despite the constant danger, she continued to serve those who desperately needed it until the end.”
The tragedy underscores a growing pattern of attacks impacting humanitarian operations in Gaza. In the last three days,premises belonging to two other Oxfam partners – Al Ataa,a women’s empowerment organization,and a clinic of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) – have been destroyed by Israeli attacks. A total of ten PMRS centers have been hit: nine in northern Gaza and one in Khan younès, in the south.
Oxfam Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Ruth James, issued a strong condemnation, stating, “Humanitarian workers should never be targets. Israel must be held responsible for nearly 1,600 confirmed murders of humanitarian workers and health since the start of the war.”
the incidents highlight the increasing risks faced by aid workers attempting to provide essential services in the region, and raise concerns about the protection of civilians and healthcare infrastructure during the ongoing conflict.
