A prominent Palestinian doctor, Hussam Abu Safiya, has faced allegations of mistreatment during his 18-month detention by Israeli forces, as reported by his lawyer and a human rights group. Abu Safiya, who served as the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has become critical. He was a key figure during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, leading efforts to care for patients under challenging conditions.
Abu Safiya ran the hospital during an 85-day Israeli military siege and shared videos pleading for help before his arrest in December 2024. Despite not being formally charged, the Israeli army is investigating him for suspected ties with Hamas. Humanitarian workers and organizations who have been associated with him deny these allegations.
Nasser Odeh, Abu Safiya’s lawyer, and Physicians for Human Rights Israel reported his deteriorating health during a July 2 visit, noting his difficulty in sitting upright and recent head injuries. Odeh stated that Abu Safiya endured physical and psychological abuse and was kept in isolation for extended periods.
“During a Supreme Court appearance, Abu Safiya appeared pale and emaciated. He also bore marks resembling lashings on his arms.”
The Israeli Prison Service described the claims as “false and without factual basis,” emphasizing that all prisoners receive care according to health ministry guidelines. They dismissed allegations of abuse, torture, or denial of medical treatment.
Since the October 2023 conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israel has faced criticism over its treatment of Palestinian detainees. Human rights groups and the United Nations have reported systematic abuse patterns. The number of detained Palestinians has surged, with many still held. The Associated Press has previously covered the harsh prison conditions.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, over 73,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza due to the Israeli offensive, as per the territory’s Ministry of Health.
AP journalists Samy Magdy in Cairo and Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv contributed to this report.
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