Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, has been held in Israeli custody without formal charges since 27 December 2024. He was detained at his workplace and subsequently held in solitary confinement at Rakefet prison. More than 375 medical workers, including Abu Safiya, have been classified as “unlawful combatants,” a designation used by Israeli authorities to justify extended detention without trial.
An independent medical review conducted by Israeli specialist Prof Amit Tirosh, examining records obtained by Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), has documented serious health deterioration. Abu Safiya’s weight declined from 90kg in January 2025 to 76kg in May, representing a loss of 14 kilograms. Tirosh identified multiple concerning medical issues, including unexplained chest pain, delayed treatment for scabies, and decreasing hemoglobin levels. Medical records also documented bruising around one eye, dizziness, and rib pain in July, which Abu Safiya attributed to beatings by prison guards.
Tirosh stated that the identified health concerns pose a significant threat to Abu Safiya’s life. He emphasized that continuous food deprivation, repeated injuries, and inadequate medical care could prove fatal. He also noted that more than 100 prisoners died in Israeli facilities between 2023 and 2025. The prison’s medical team documented the weight loss as a common pattern among detainees without expressing concern, and urgent medical issues identified in the records were not addressed.
Recent legal proceedings have not resulted in Abu Safiya’s release. A district court rejected a petition for an independent medical examination earlier in the week, despite the troubling medical findings. Israeli authorities have alleged Abu Safiya exaggerated medical problems and maintained unauthorized communications from prison. However, PHRI stated these allegations do not justify refusing an independent medical evaluation, which remains a legally protected right. The Israeli prison service stated it operates in accordance with law and judicial oversight.
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