Health authorities in Gaza have condemned the detention of Palestinian Red Crescent paramedics by Israeli forces after ambulance crews were stopped while carrying out emergency duties along Salah al-Din Street on Tuesday.

In a statement released by Gaza’s Health Ministry, officials said seven ambulance workers were detained during the incident. Five were later released after questioning, while two paramedics remain in Israeli custody.

The ministry described the detentions as a serious obstruction of emergency medical operations during the ongoing genocidal war, warning that repeated interference with ambulance crews is placing civilian lives at even greater risk across the besieged territory.

Officials also stressed that medical teams operating in war zones are protected under international humanitarian law and should be allowed to move freely while transporting wounded civilians and responding to emergencies. Palestinian medical organisations have repeatedly reported incidents involving delays, detentions and attacks affecting healthcare workers throughout Gaza.

Human rights groups and medical organisations have increasingly raised concerns over the mounting pressure faced by Gaza’s healthcare system, where hospitals, ambulance crews and rescue teams continue to operate under extreme conditions amid constant bombardment and widespread destruction.