We write with deep alarm regarding the continued arbitrary detention, torture, and denial of medical care of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. He has been held in Israeli custody since 27 December 2024—now over 180 days—without charge, formal indictment, or access to a fair trial.
Dr. Abu Safiya is being held under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law, a framework that allows indefinite detention based on secret evidence, in violation of international human rights standards.
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Documented Abuses
According to credible reports from legal representatives and human rights organizations (Palestine Chronicle, Mezan Center for Human Rights):
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Dr. Abu Safiya was subjected to continuous interrogation for 13 days, deprived of sleep, access to counsel, and contact with family.
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He endured physical abuse including being shackled to a metal chair for long periods, stripped, and beaten with batons and electric devices.
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He spent 25 consecutive days in solitary confinement—a form of torture under international law.
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He suffers from heart arrhythmia, severe vision impairment, and has lost over 20kg (44lbs) in custody, yet has been denied essential medical treatment, including glasses, heart monitoring, and specialist care.
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He was prevented from seeing a lawyer for 47 days after his detention.
These conditions violate multiple international treaties to which Israel is a party, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
Legal and Ethical Implications
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As a medical professional, Dr. Abu Safiya is protected under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit attacks or arbitrary detention of healthcare workers.
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The Unlawful Combatants Law, under which he is held, has been widely condemned for facilitating arbitrary detention without due process and is incompatible with basic human rights protections.
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Denial of medical treatment constitutes cruel and inhuman treatment, and the prolonged use of solitary confinement is considered a form of psychological torture.
Urgent Requests
We urge the United Nations and affiliated international bodies to:
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Demand Dr. Abu Safiya’s immediate release or formal charges with access to fair trial procedures as required by international law.
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Investigate the conditions of his detention, including allegations of torture, medical neglect, and inhumane treatment.
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Call on Israel to cease the arbitrary detention of Palestinian medical professionals and ensure their safety, dignity, and legal rights.
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Ensure the Red Cross and independent monitors are granted immediate access to Dr. Abu Safiya and other detained medical workers.
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Initiate a broader investigation into the use of the Unlawful Combatants Law and its compliance with international standards.
Conclusion
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya’s case reflects a pattern of systemic abuse and erosion of humanitarian protections for civilians, particularly medical professionals, in the occupied Palestinian territories. Continued silence or delay risks further deterioration of his health and sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of healthcare workers in conflict zones.
We ask you to act with urgency and clarity in defense of international law, medical neutrality, and fundamental human rights.