Lawyer Expresses Alarm Over Doctor's Condition
A lawyer representing a Palestinian doctor from Gaza, who has been detained by Israeli authorities without formal charges for over 18 months, expressed grave concerns about his client's safety. The lawyer, Nasser Odeh, informed the BBC that during a visit to Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya at the Rakefet interrogation facility, the doctor appeared severely beaten and unrecognizable.
Odeh recounted that Abu Safiya nearly lost consciousness multiple times during their meeting. "He recounted enduring severe violence, particularly on the day of my visit," Odeh reported. The Israel Prison Service, however, rejected these claims as inaccurate.
Legal and Human Rights Actions
Israel's Supreme Court has mandated a government response by Tuesday to a petition advocating for the release of Abu Safiya and 13 other Palestinian doctors from Gaza who are similarly held without charges. Odeh reported that Abu Safiya described an assault by more than five prison guards using hands, batons, and hammers after an appeal against his detention was submitted to the Supreme Court in Jerusalem. The doctor has allegedly not received any medical treatment.
Odeh described the doctor's condition as dire, with visible bruises on his face, neck, and ears. "He expressed living in unbearable conditions, fearing for his life," Odeh conveyed. Despite the circumstances, Odeh expressed hope for his client's release, although Abu Safiya ominously suggested they might not meet again.
Background and Allegations
Dr. Abu Safiya was the director of Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, actively working during the region's siege by Israeli forces. He was detained in December 2024, when Israeli military operations led to the evacuation of the hospital, which was claimed to be a "Hamas terrorist stronghold." The World Health Organization at the time urged an end to attacks on medical facilities in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces stated that Abu Safiya was apprehended due to suspected terrorist activities and his alleged rank within Hamas. However, colleagues and international aid organizations deny any such affiliations, emphasizing his role as a healthcare provider. Abu Safiya is detained under the Unlawful Combatants Law, allowing indefinite detention without charge for those deemed security risks from Gaza.
International Response
The Israel Prison Service has faced criticism regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees, allegations it denies. A November 2025 report by the United Nations Committee against Torture highlighted concerns of widespread mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners. Similarly, Physicians for Human Rights Israel reported the deaths of at least 94 Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody over two years.
The Israel Prison Service dismissed Odeh's allegations as baseless, maintaining that detainees receive medical care according to official health guidelines. Nonetheless, human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned Abu Safiya's treatment, calling it "truly horrifying." PHRI has petitioned the Supreme Court for his release and demanded urgent medical care and legal oversight.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recently deemed Abu Safiya's detention arbitrary, urging his immediate release, and suggesting his case reflects a broader pattern of arbitrary detention practices.
Source: Original Article
