Lawyer Nasser Odeh has warned that his client, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a prominent Palestinian doctor detained by Israeli forces 18 months ago, is in critical condition after suffering physical and psychological abuse in captivity. The warning was issued through Physicians for Human Rights Israel, the group representing him.
Abuse Allegations and Medical Condition
During a visit on July 2, Odeh reported that Abu Safiya appeared extremely weak and struggled to sit upright. He had recent head injuries around his eyes, ears, and neck, and experienced difficulty breathing. Odeh and Physicians for Human Rights Israel have filed a petition to transfer Abu Safiya to another facility.
Abu Safiya, 53, served as director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza and became a symbol of health workers' struggles during the Israel-Hamas war. He led the hospital through an 85-day siege by the Israeli military, releasing videos pleading for help before his arrest in December 2024. He has not been charged.
Israeli Military's Allegations
The Israeli military said Abu Safiya is being investigated on suspicion of cooperating with or working for Hamas. Staff and international aid groups that worked with him deny these claims. Israel's Prison Service called the abuse allegations “false and entirely without factual basis,” declining to discuss the case directly due to privacy concerns, but stating that all prisoners and detainees are held according to the law and receive medical care based on Ministry of Health guidelines.
Court Appearances and Previous Abuse Claims
Odeh previously told Israel’s Supreme Court last month that Abu Safiya faced physical and psychological abuse and was kept in solitary confinement for extended periods. During a video hearing, Abu Safiya appeared pale and gaunt with lash-like marks on both arms.
Israel has faced severe criticism over its treatment of Palestinian prisoners since the start of the war with Hamas in October 2023. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have alleged systematic patterns of abuse. The number of Palestinians in Israeli detention surged after the war began, with thousands remaining in detention. The Associated Press has reported on dire prison conditions.
War Background
The war began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas led an attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive in Gaza, according to the territory's health authority.
