The lawyer for Gaza hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya says his client has suffered abuse and remains in critical condition, while Israeli prison authorities deny the allegations.
Hussam Abu Safiya, the Palestinian doctor detained by Israeli forces since December 2024, is in critical condition after allegedly suffering physical and psychological abuse in custody, according to his lawyer and a human rights organisation representing him.
Abu Safiya, 53, served as director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. He became widely known for leading the hospital during an 85-day Israeli military siege and repeatedly appealed for international assistance before Israeli forces arrested him. He has not been charged with any offence.
The Israeli military said it is investigating Abu Safiya on suspicion of cooperating with or working for Hamas. However, hospital staff and international aid organisations that worked with him have rejected those allegations.
Lawyer raises concerns over health
Lawyer Nasser Odeh and Physicians for Human Rights Israel visited Abu Safiya on 2 July.
According to Odeh, Abu Safiya appeared extremely weak and struggled to sit upright. He also reported recent injuries around his eyes, ears and neck and said the doctor experienced breathing difficulties.
Furthermore, Odeh said Israeli authorities kept Abu Safiya in solitary confinement for extended periods and subjected him to physical and psychological abuse.
Following the visit, Odeh and Physicians for Human Rights Israel petitioned for Abu Safiya’s transfer to another detention facility where he could receive appropriate care.
Israel rejects abuse claims
Last month, Abu Safiya appeared briefly by video before Israel’s Supreme Court during a hearing that challenged his continued detention without charge.
His lawyer said the doctor looked pale and severely weakened. Video footage also appeared to show marks on both of his arms.
However, the Israel Prison Service rejected the allegations. It described the claims as false and said all detainees receive treatment in accordance with Israeli law and Ministry of Health guidelines.
The prison service also denied accusations of abuse, torture, starvation or withholding medical care.
Wider concerns over detainees
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, international human rights organisations and the United Nations have repeatedly raised concerns about the treatment of Palestinian detainees.
The number of Palestinians held in Israeli detention has increased significantly during the conflict. Thousands remain in custody.
The war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Since then, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, according to the territory’s health authorities.
