The detention of Gaza hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya highlights systematic assaults on Palestinian healthcare workers and facilities.
An Israeli court has extended the detention without charges of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, until February 13, 2025.
In a statement, the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights based in Gaza said Israeli authorities also ruled on Wednesday to extend the ban on Dr. Abu Safiya’s access to legal counsel until January 22.
“This marks the second such extension since his arrest” on December 27 last year, the statement noted.
🚨 Latest update on Dr. Abu Safiya:
– Detention extended until 13 Feb;
– Barred from meeting his lawyer until 22 Jan;
– Initially reported at Sde Teiman, our attorney representing him indicates he may be now held at Ofer Prison. https://t.co/zZAmP2YNSn— Al-Mezan الميزان (@AlMezanCenter) January 10, 2025
Dr. Abu Safiya was detained by Israeli forces along with fellow medical staff and others during a raid on Kamal Adwan, following a days-long siege. The medical facility was raided and set ablaze by the army.
Notorious Sde Teiman
He was later reported to be held at Sde Teiman, a notorious military detention center “where Al Mezan and other organizations have documented systematic torture practices against Palestinians.”
Al Mezan’s attorney, who is representing Dr. Abu Safiya, has received indications that the doctor “may now be held in Ofer Prison.”
BREAKING | Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya was seen in Sde Teiman detention camp by two released hostages (December 29th 2024), Mohammad Al-Ramlawi and Mustafa Hassouna, now in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza. Their testimonies corroborate previous accounts from Yahya Zaqqout, Ahmad Saleem,… pic.twitter.com/DwDtrOCw6f
— Translating Falasteen (Palestine) (@translatingpal) January 8, 2025
“The arbitrary detention of Dr. Abu Safiya and his colleagues is part of a broader pattern of systematic violations by Israel, aimed at the deliberate devastation of Gaza’s healthcare system,” the organization said.
“This intentional policy includes relentless military attacks targeting healthcare facilities and personnel, sieges and raids on hospitals, and the abduction of dozens of medical staff,” it added.
Concerns of Abuse
Since October 2023, Al Mezan emphasized, Israeli attacks have killed more than a thousand Palestinian health and care workers in Gaza, with at least 330 healthcare professionals taken into custody during Israeli ground operations.
“Among those abducted while performing their duties were Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh and Dr. Iyad Al-Rantisi, who were both killed under torture while in Israeli detention,” Al Mezan stated.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya's life in danger due to torture: Immediate international intervention needed for his release https://t.co/sE2TcZwiWY
— Euro-Med Monitor (@EuroMedHR) January 6, 2025
The organization expressed its concern for Dr. Abu Safiya’s safety and wellbeing, “gravely fearing that he may be subjected to severe torture, retaliation, or other forms of coercion, particularly given the ongoing and deliberate denial of access to a lawyer.”
“We strongly condemn his arbitrary detention, emphasizing that it constitutes a clear violation of international law, which mandates respect and protection for medical personnel and guarantees the right to a fair trial,” Al Mezan said.
The organization called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of Dr. Abu Safiya, as well as all Palestinians arbitrarily arrested and detained by Israeli authorities, including healthcare workers.
‘I was Humiliated’
Two recently freed detainees who were held at Sde Teiman confirmed this week that they had seen and spoken to Dr. Abu Safiya at the detention center.
“I was shocked when I saw him. The first words that came out of his mouth: ‘Folks, I’ve been humiliated,” Mohammad al-Ramlawi told the Al Jazeera Mubasher channel.
‘I’ve Been Humiliated’ – Freed Detainees Recount Meeting with Dr. Abu Safiya
He said Dr. Abu Safiya, spoke about the mistreatment and violations he endured during his detention, saying: “I swear, I was humiliated, and the army treated me terribly when they arrested me.”
Another freed prisoner, Mustafa Hassouna, said the interrogations with Dr. Abu Safiya primarily focused on Israeli detainees in Gaza.
The doctor told the interrogators that he had no information on the matter as he specializes in pediatrics, the report said.
Global Appeal
The World Health Organization (WHO) along with doctors and healthcare workers worldwide have demanded the release of Dr. Abu Safiya, amidst concerns for his safety.
“We continue to urge Israel to release him. We repeat: attacks on hospitals and health professionals must end. People in Gaza need access to health care,” WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Kamal Adwan Hospital in North #Gaza remains completely out of function and we have received no updates on the safety and wellbeing of its director Dr Hussam Abu Safiya since his detention on 27 December. We continue to urge Israel to release him.
We repeat: attacks on…
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 4, 2025
The Geneva-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said it had received information that the health of Dr. Abu Safiya has deteriorated due to the torture he has endured during his detention.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 1,050 medical professionals have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.
(The Palestine Chronicle)
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