It has been over 18 months since the family of Gaza doctor Hussam Abu Safiya last saw him. The 52-year-old pediatrician and hospital director has been in Israeli custody since December 2024 without any charges filed against him. This has raised concerns among human rights groups, colleagues, and his family about his well-being and the possibility of him dying in detention.
During a recent Supreme Court hearing in Jerusalem via video link in June, Abu Safiya appeared visibly frail, with noticeable weight loss in his face and abdomen. His sister, Samahir Abu Safiya, expressed shock at his condition, stating that the family did not anticipate him being in such a deteriorated state.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel reported that Abu Safiya is one of at least 14 doctors from Gaza held in Israeli detention without trial for more than a year. Calls for his immediate release, along with other health-care workers, have been made by United Nations experts and Amnesty International.
Abu Safiya’s lawyer, Nasser Odeh, revealed that during a visit on July 2, Abu Safiya showed signs of physical abuse, with fresh bruises and torture marks on his body. Abu Safiya expressed fear for his life, stating, “This is the last time you’ll see me … they brought me here to kill me.”
The Israel Prison Service denied the allegations of mistreatment, stating that they lack factual basis. Abu Safiya’s son, Elias, voiced concerns over his father’s deteriorating health, especially after sustaining a head injury.
Abu Safiya, who led Kamal Adwan Hospital during an 85-day siege, was arrested following an Israeli offensive in northern Gaza. Despite numerous appeals, including a rejected plea for release by the Supreme Court based on confidential materials, he remains detained indefinitely.
The Israel Defence Forces have accused Abu Safiya of being associated with Hamas, a claim denied by Gaza’s Health Ministry and Hamas. The lack of evidence supporting the allegations has raised skepticism about the legitimacy of his detention.
International organizations, including Amnesty International and the UN, have called for Abu Safiya’s release, citing concerns over reported abuses during his time in Israeli custody. The UN inquiry highlighted the grave violations of international law and urged for immediate action to address Abu Safiya’s deteriorating medical condition.
Despite mounting pressure for his release, Abu Safiya was not part of the prisoner exchange in October 2025. His case has underscored the urgent need for global solidarity to ensure the safety and freedom of detained health-care workers in Gaza, as emphasized by Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, another medical professional who was previously detained and later released.
