By: Umme Kulthoom Jacobs
More than 550 days have passed since Palestinian paediatrician Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya was detained by Israeli forces without publicly disclosed formal charges.
Dr Abu Safiya, one of Gaza’s most prominent physicians and the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, gained international recognition for continuing to treat patients under extraordinarily difficult conditions throughout the war.
On 27 December 2024, Israeli forces detained Dr Abu Safiya during an operation at Kamal Adwan Hospital. Israeli authorities have alleged that he has links to Hamas; however, these allegations have been widely reported but not publicly substantiated with evidence in court.
Since his detention, reports from his legal representatives and human rights organisations have raised concerns regarding his treatment and the conditions of his detention. Allegations have included physical abuse, ill-treatment, and deteriorating health.
In a statement conveyed through his lawyer, Dr Abu Safiya reportedly said, “They brought me here to kill me,” describing the conditions he says he has endured in detention.
His case has attracted international attention, with thousands of healthcare professionals, medical organisations, and human rights advocates worldwide calling for his release and for the protection of medical workers in conflict zones.
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Image credit: IASW.
