More than a year and a half has passed since the family of Gaza doctor Hussam Abu Safiya last laid eyes on him. The 52-year-old pediatrician and head of Kamal Adwan Hospital has been in Israeli custody without charges since December 2024, prompting concerns from various human rights groups, colleagues, and relatives who fear for his well-being.
In a recent Supreme Court hearing in Jerusalem, Abu Safiya appeared via video link looking visibly frail, with a noticeable loss of weight in his face and abdomen, leaving his family shocked and worried about his deteriorating condition. He is one of over a dozen doctors from Gaza who have been detained by Israel for more than a year without trial, as reported by Physicians for Human Rights Israel, United Nations experts, and Amnesty International.
During a visit to Abu Safiya on July 2, his lawyer revealed that he had been subjected to daily beatings at an underground detention facility in central Israel, showing signs of recent torture. Abu Safiya expressed his fear of being killed, emphasizing the dire situation he is facing. Despite the family’s concerns and calls for his release, the Israel Prison Service has denied mistreating him or any other detained doctors.
Abu Safiya’s son, Elias, expressed grave concerns about his father’s health following a head injury, stating that his condition is rapidly deteriorating. The doctor, recognized for his leadership during a previous hospital siege, continues to be held without charge under the unlawful combatants law.
Accused of ties to Hamas by the Israel Defence Forces, Abu Safiya has been denied any evidence supporting the allegations, with both Gaza’s Health Ministry and Hamas refuting the claims. The ongoing detention of Abu Safiya and other medical professionals has sparked international outrage, with calls for his immediate release intensifying.
Despite the mounting pressure, Abu Safiya remains in custody, prompting concerns about his well-being and the need for global solidarity to address the critical shortage of healthcare workers in Gaza. The situation has drawn condemnation from various organizations, with demands for accountability and justice for Abu Safiya and others detained without due process.