Family of Palestinian Doctor Hussam Abu Safiya Warns He May Die in Israeli Prison
The family of Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya has warned that he could die in Israeli detention, accusing the international community and human rights organisations of failing to protect him.
Dr Abu Safiya, a paediatrician and former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has been held by Israel without charge since December 2024. His family says his health has severely deteriorated and that he urgently needs medical attention and release.
His son Elias told Middle East Eye that the family feels abandoned, saying his father and other Palestinian prisoners are being left to suffer inside Israeli prisons.
The warning came after Physicians for Human Rights Israel said Abu Safiya’s life was in immediate danger and called for his release. The group said Israeli authorities rejected a legal appeal seeking his freedom and did not adequately address concerns about his injuries and treatment.
Abu Safiya’s lawyer said he appeared extremely weak during a recent visit, struggling to breathe and speak, with visible injuries to his face and head. The doctor reportedly told his lawyer that he feared he would not survive.
According to rights groups, Abu Safiya has suffered from serious health problems during detention, including injuries, ongoing pain from shrapnel wounds, and heart complications linked to high blood pressure. They also claim he has been held in isolation and denied proper medical care.
Human rights advocates say Palestinian healthcare workers detained during the Gaza war have faced severe mistreatment. Abu Safiya’s case has drawn calls from medical organisations and activists demanding his immediate release and independent medical examination.
Before his arrest, Abu Safiya remained at Kamal Adwan Hospital despite intense fighting, continuing to treat patients during the Gaza crisis. His family says he became a symbol of dedication among Gaza’s medical workers.
His son said he is now speaking out not only for his father but for all Palestinian healthcare workers held in detention, urging global leaders and institutions to take action before it is too late.
