A prominent Palestinian doctor, Hussam Abu Safiya, has been in critical condition since his detention by Israeli forces 18 months ago, according to his lawyer and a human rights group. Abu Safiya previously served as the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. He was a leading figure among healthcare workers managing to assist patients during the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Abu Safiya led the hospital during an 85-day siege by the Israeli military. He shared videos pleading for assistance until his arrest in December 2024. He has not been formally charged. The Israeli military states Abu Safiya, aged 53, is under investigation for possibly collaborating with Hamas. However, staff and international aid organizations refute these claims.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel and Abu Safiya’s lawyer, Nasser Odeh, reported his weakened state during a visit on July 2. Odeh described injuries on Abu Safiya’s head, around his eyes, ears, neck, and noted his difficulty in breathing.
Odeh and the human rights organization have petitioned for Abu Safiya’s transfer to a different facility, citing physical and psychological abuse and extended periods of isolation. Odeh challenged his detention without charges during a Supreme Court of Israel appearance last month. In a brief video appearance, Abu Safiya appeared pale and emaciated, with whip-like marks on his arms.
The Israel Prison Service labeled the abuse claims as “false and completely unfounded” and declined to discuss the case directly due to privacy concerns. They asserted that all prisoners and detainees are treated according to the law and receive medical care based on Health Ministry guidelines, stating, “The Israel Prison Service rejects accusations of abuse, torture, starvation, or denial of medical treatment.”
Israel has faced significant criticism over its treatment of Palestinian prisoners and detainees since the war with Hamas began in October 2023. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have reported systematic abuse patterns.
The number of Palestinians detained by Israel increased significantly after the war started, with thousands still held. The Associated Press has reported on harsh prison conditions previously. The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, when the Gaza-based militant group launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in around 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
Since then, over 73,000 Palestinians have died in the Israeli offensive in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Journalists Samy Magdy in Cairo and Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv contributed to this report.
The story was translated from English by an AP editor with assistance from a generative AI tool.
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