Palestinian Doctor Detained by Israel Faces Critical Health Issues

In Tel Aviv, Israel, a prominent Palestinian doctor who was detained by Israeli forces 18 months ago is reported to be in critical condition due to mistreatment during his captivity, according to his lawyer and a human rights group representing him.

Hussam Abu Safiya, who served as the director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, became a symbol for healthcare workers struggling to treat patients amidst the war between Israel and Hamas. He led the hospital during an 85-day siege by the Israeli army and sent out videos pleading for help prior to his arrest in December 2024. He has not been formally charged.

The Israeli military stated that 53-year-old Abu Safiya is under investigation on suspicion of cooperating with Hamas or working for the group. Personnel and international aid organizations associated with him deny these assertions.

On July 2, during a visit, his lawyer, Nasser Odeh, and Physicians for Human Rights Israel reported that Abu Safiya appeared extremely weak and struggled to sit upright. Odeh noted recent injuries around Abu Safiya’s eyes, ears, and neck, alongside breathing difficulties.

Odeh and Physicians for Human Rights Israel have requested Abu Safiya be moved to another facility. They claim he endured physical and psychological abuses and was kept in isolation for extended periods. This follows a Supreme Court hearing in Israel where his detention without charges was contested. During this hearing, Abu Safiya appeared briefly via video, looking pale, emaciated, and having whip-like marks on his arms.

The Israel Prison Service dismissed the allegations as ‘false and completely without factual basis.’ They declined to discuss the case directly due to privacy concerns but insisted that all prisoners and detainees are held in accordance with the law and receive medical care based on Ministry of Health guidelines. The service firmly denies accusations of abuse, torture, starvation, or medical care denial.

Israel has faced severe criticism over its treatment of Palestinian prisoners and detainees since the start of its war with Hamas in October 2023. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have reported systematic abuse patterns. Following the war’s outbreak, the number of Palestinians detained by Israel increased significantly, with thousands remaining in custody.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, when the Gaza-based militia group launched an attack against southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people and leading to the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, the Palestinian Health Ministry reports over 73,000 Palestinians have died in the Israeli offensive in Gaza, without differentiating between civilians and combatants.

Journalists Samy Magdy in Cairo and Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report. This story was translated from English by an AP editor using a generative artificial intelligence tool.