Israel says the detention of Gaza hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya is lawful, rejecting allegations of abuse after UN experts called for his immediate release.
Israel has defended the continued detention of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, dismissing claims that he is suffering from a life-threatening medical condition while in custody.
In a statement posted on Friday, Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva said that “at no stage” during Abu Safiya’s detention had he shown signs of a life-threatening condition. The mission also alleged that he was a colonel in Hamas, an accusation that has drawn international attention.
UN Experts Raise Concerns
Israel’s response follows statements issued this week by United Nations investigators and independent human rights experts expressing concern over Abu Safiya’s detention.
Four independent UN rights experts said his continued detention without formal charges or trial reflects what they described as the systematic targeting of Palestinian healthcare workers.
Separately, the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory voiced grave concern over reports alleging that Abu Safiya had been subjected to severe abuse while in detention.
The commission called for his immediate, unconditional and safe release and urged Israeli authorities to ensure he receives independent medical care.
Arrest During Hospital Raid
Dr. Abu Safiya, a pediatrician, gained international recognition in 2024 after sharing updates about the deteriorating humanitarian conditions at Kamal Adwan Hospital during Israel’s military operations in northern Gaza.
On December 27, 2024, Israeli forces raided the hospital in Beit Lahia, describing the medical facility as a Hamas “terrorist centre.”
The operation resulted in the arrest of dozens of medical staff, including Dr. Abu Safiya.
Dispute Over Allegations
Israeli authorities maintain that Abu Safiya’s detention complies with the law and reject allegations that he has been mistreated or denied medical care.
Meanwhile, UN experts continue to call for greater transparency regarding his detention and have urged Israel to guarantee his legal rights and access to independent healthcare.
The case has become a focal point in the broader international debate over the protection of healthcare workers and medical facilities during armed conflicts.
