Gaza Doctor Abu Safia Faces Ongoing Torture in Israeli Prison
Key Points
- Doctor Hussam Abu Safia was abducted on December 27, 2024 from Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza for refusing to evacuate.
- His lawyer Nasser Odeh reported on August 30 that guards continue beating him, depriving him of sleep, and threatening him against sharing detention conditions.
- Abu Safia has been held without charges under Israel's unlawful combatant law and transferred to Ramla prison's medical centre on August 10.
The visible deterioration of Abu Safia's physical condition has mounted international concern. In June 2026, footage of him appearing via videolink before an Israeli court showed him noticeably thinner in his face and around his abdomen. In July, PHRI reported that his injuries were so severe—with "fresh and serious bruises on his head, around his eyes, on his ears, and on his neck"—that his lawyer had trouble recognizing him. A United Nations inquiry commission stated in July that Abu Safia faced "continued and severe abuse."
On August 10, Abu Safia was transferred from Rakefet to the prison service's medical centre at Ramla prison, which PHRI stated "in itself indicates serious medical needs that cannot be adequately addressed in ordinary prison wards." PHRI submitted a request to the Israel Prison Service on July 7 demanding that an independent physician examine him, a request that has not yet been approved. The Israeli rights group said "there is no justification for further delay." The Israel Prison Service recently requested additional time to submit its response to Abu Safia's petition filed with an Israeli administrative court.
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Abdullah al-Ashqar, director general of Gaza's Ministry of Health, called last month for urgent action to "save" the jailed doctor's life. Before his detention, Abu Safia had been a prominent voice highlighting Gaza's decimated healthcare sector and continued his medical work despite the death of one of his sons in an Israeli drone attack.
What Happens Next
Abu Safia's case will likely continue through Israeli administrative courts as PHRI pursues approval for independent medical examination. The lack of formal charges suggests prolonged detention under unlawful combatant provisions remains possible without imminent trial proceedings. International pressure from UN bodies and human rights organizations may influence conditions but has not yet secured his release or formal charges as of early September 2026.
Sources: Al Jazeera and other international news outlets.
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