It’s been over a year and a half since Hussam Abu Safiya’s family last saw the Gaza doctor. The 52-year-old pediatrician and Kamal Adwan Hospital director has been in Israeli custody since December 2024 without any charges, causing concern among human rights groups, colleagues, and family members who fear for his well-being.
In June, Abu Safiya appeared via video link for a Supreme Court hearing in Jerusalem, looking visibly weaker and thinner, which came as a shock to his family. His sister, Samahir Abu Safiya, expressed deep concern about his deteriorating condition, stating that the family was taken aback by his appearance.
Abu Safiya is one of 14 doctors from Gaza detained in Israel for over a year without trial, as reported by Physicians for Human Rights Israel. Various organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, have called for his immediate release along with other health-care workers held without justification.
During a visit to Abu Safiya on July 2, his lawyer Nasser Odeh reported that Abu Safiya had been subjected to regular beatings at the underground detention facility Rakevet in central Israel. Odeh observed fresh bruises and signs of torture on Abu Safiya, who expressed fear for his life, indicating that he believed he was brought there to be killed.
In response to these allegations, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) denied mistreatment of Abu Safiya and other doctors in their custody. Abu Safiya’s son, Elias, expressed concerns about his father’s health, emphasizing the critical condition he is in after sustaining a head injury.
Abu Safiya’s detention is based on accusations by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) of his affiliation with Hamas, a claim refuted by Gaza’s Health Ministry and Hamas. The IDF has not provided evidence to support these allegations, and the Supreme Court rejected an appeal for his release last month.
Despite international calls for his freedom, Abu Safiya remains detained, raising concerns about the violation of international law and human rights. The UN and Amnesty International have urged for his immediate release, highlighting the grave conditions he faces while in Israeli custody.
Abu Safiya’s case has sparked outrage and demands for justice, with many advocating for his release as part of a global effort to safeguard the rights of detained health-care workers in Gaza.