Allegations of Mistreatment in Israeli Detention
A lawyer representing Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a prominent Palestinian medic from Gaza, alleges that his client has suffered severe physical abuse while in Israeli detention. Dr. Abu Safiya has been held without charge for over 18 months, and his lawyer, Nasser Odeh, expressed grave concerns for his client's safety and well-being.
Odeh reported that during a recent visit to an interrogation facility known as Rakefet, he found it difficult to recognize Dr. Abu Safiya due to visible injuries. "He nearly lost consciousness several times," Odeh described, adding that the doctor had been subjected to intense violence, particularly on the day of the visit.
Disputed Claims
The Israel Prison Service has refuted these allegations, describing them as baseless. The Israeli Supreme Court has demanded a response from the government regarding a petition for the release of Dr. Abu Safiya and 13 other Palestinian doctors detained without charge.
According to Odeh, Dr. Abu Safiya recounted being attacked by more than five prison guards using hands, batons, and hammers following an appeal against his detention at the Supreme Court. Despite the severity of his injuries, he reportedly has not received medical care.
Background of Detention
Dr. Abu Safiya, formerly the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, was detained in December 2024. At the time, the Israeli military accused the hospital of being a "Hamas terrorist stronghold" and evacuated patients and staff. The World Health Organization condemned the attack on the hospital.
Images from the period show Dr. Abu Safiya approaching an Israeli armored vehicle in his medical coat before being taken into custody. The Israel Defense Forces claim he was involved in terrorist activities and held a rank in Hamas, allegations that medical staff and aid organizations working with him deny.
Legal and Human Rights Responses
Dr. Abu Safiya is detained under the Unlawful Combatants Law, which allows indefinite detention without charge for individuals deemed security risks. This law and the conditions of detention have drawn criticism from human rights organizations.
In November 2025, the United Nations Committee against Torture expressed concern over reports of systemic torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. An Israel-based human rights group reported the deaths of at least 94 Palestinian detainees in less than two years.
The Israel Prison Service maintains that all detainees are treated in accordance with legal standards and receive adequate medical care, dismissing allegations of abuse.
International Calls for Action
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), have called for urgent action in Dr. Abu Safiya's case. PHRI has filed a petition with the Supreme Court for the release of Dr. Abu Safiya and other detained doctors and has urged immediate medical intervention.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has labeled Dr. Abu Safiya's detention as arbitrary and called for his immediate release, suggesting a pattern of arbitrary detention practices in Israel.
Source: Original Article
