Jailed Gaza hospital chief in life-threatening condition, rights group says | Crimes Against Humanity News
Family Appeals for Release of Palestinian Doctor Detained in Israel
Elyas Abu Safia says his father can barely breathe or speak after more than 555 days in Israeli prison.
The family of a prominent Palestinian doctor detained without charge by Israeli authorities has issued a plea for his release, citing severe health concerns following 555 days in custody. Elyas Abu Safia, son of Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, raised alarms about his father’s deteriorating condition in a recent video message.
Elyas reported that Dr. Abu Safia has shown signs of severe abuse after being transferred to solitary confinement in a maximum-security facility. “The day before yesterday, the lawyer Nasser Odeh managed to visit my father, where he told us painful details about this visit,” Elyas, who is also a doctor, stated.
During the visit, Dr. Abu Safia reportedly struggled to breathe and speak. Eyewitness accounts described visible injuries on his face, attributed to torture and abuse sustained during his time in prison, particularly after a court appearance in Jerusalem.
Israeli forces arrested Dr. Abu Safia on December 27, 2024, amid escalating attacks on the healthcare system in northern Gaza. Just two months prior, an Israeli drone strike killed his son Ibrahim at the entrance of the hospital.
In his appeal, Elyas criticized Arab and Muslim leaders for what he perceives as a lack of support for his father’s plight. “Your silence is a betrayal and a crime, and complicity in torturing my father,” he lamented.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel has expressed grave concerns for Dr. Abu Safia’s well-being following his relocation to the Rakefet section of Nitzan prison. A report from the group confirmed severe injuries, difficulty breathing, and recurrent loss of consciousness during a visit by lawyer Nasser Odeh on July 2.
Odeh observed fresh bruises and injuries on Dr. Abu Safia’s head and around his eyes, ears, and neck, which raised serious recognition challenges due to the severity of his condition. “The information we received raises serious and immediate concerns for Abu Safiya’s life,” said Naji Abbas, director of the Prisoners and Detainees Department at Physicians for Human Rights.
Israeli authorities have not filed charges against Dr. Abu Safia, classifying him as an “unlawful combatant,” a designation that allows for prolonged detention without trial. The organization has called for his release, along with other Palestinian doctors currently detained. In March, United Nations experts also urged Israel to release Dr. Abu Safia and ensure he receives necessary medical care. He is one of 14 Palestinian doctors from Gaza held in similar circumstances.