The director general of Gaza’s Ministry of Health issued an urgent appeal regarding the condition of detained Palestinian pediatrician Hussam Abu Safia, warning that his life faces imminent danger without immediate intervention. Abu Safia, who previously directed Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has been held by Israeli authorities since December 27, 2024, following a raid on the hospital after an 85-day siege. The health ministry chief reported receiving information indicating that Abu Safia has sustained physical injuries including damage to his eye, head, and chest, with his lawyer’s recent visit documenting additional signs of abuse.
Abu Safia remains detained without formal charges under Israel’s unlawful combatant law, which permits indefinite renewable detention. An appeal for his release was rejected by Israel’s supreme court in June. International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations Commission of Inquiry, have expressed serious concerns about his safety and detention conditions. The health ministry director called on the Red Cross, World Health Organization, United Nations, and medical and human rights groups to take immediate action, while also demanding an independent medical examination for the detained doctor.
The appeal coincided with reporting on broader deterioration within Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. According to journalists on the ground, the ceasefire agreement has been breached repeatedly, with Israeli-designated “yellow” zones now covering more than 70 percent of Gaza’s territory and leaving Palestinians confined to less than 30 percent. Hospital operations face severe constraints due to shortages of medicines and medical supplies, with one facility reporting three to four patient deaths daily from lack of essential medications. Approximately 20,000 patients await evacuation for treatment abroad, while the daily delivery of aid trucks falls significantly short of required amounts.
The UN human rights office warned that recovery from the humanitarian crisis would require generations. Officials highlighted that critical issues including malnutrition, inadequate shelter, and lack of safe drinking water cannot be addressed while Israel maintains restrictions on dual-use material entry. Since the ceasefire began, reported casualty figures include 1,257 deaths and 4,131 wounded, adding to the overall toll from the conflict that has exceeded 73,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023.
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