Attorney warns detained Palestinian doctor is in critical condition

Key Points:

• Hussam Abu Safiya, a prominent Palestinian doctor and former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, has been held by Israeli forces for 18 months without charge and is reported to be in critical condition due to alleged abuse in captivity.
• Abu Safiya led the hospital through an 85-day Israeli military siege during the Israel-Hamas war and was arrested in December 2024 on suspicion of cooperating with Hamas, claims denied by his colleagues and aid groups.
• His lawyer and Physicians for Human Rights Israel reported physical injuries, psychological abuse, and prolonged solitary confinement, prompting petitions for his transfer to another facility.
• Israel’s Prison Service denies all allegations of abuse or mistreatment, stating that detainees receive medical care in accordance with legal and health guidelines.
• The case highlights broader concerns over the treatment of Palestinian detainees amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has seen a surge in Palestinian arrests and widespread international criticism.