Prominent Gaza Doctor Appears in Court Amid Family's Torture Allegations

Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, a well-known Palestinian physician and director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, recently appeared via video link at an Israeli Supreme Court hearing in Jerusalem. His family and legal representatives have expressed significant alarm regarding his physical condition, stating he exhibited clear signs of mistreatment and severe weight loss.

Dr. Abu Safia, who was apprehended by the Israeli military in late 2024, has been held in detention for an extended period. During his court appearance on Wednesday, he reportedly demanded his immediate release, asserting that his imprisonment was unjust and arbitrary. Footage from the hearing showed him looking noticeably emaciated, particularly in his face and around his abdomen. "My detention is unjust and arbitrary, and I demand my immediate release," Abu Safia conveyed to the court through his defence lawyer, Nasser Abu Odeh. He further emphasized his role as a pediatrician dedicated to providing medical services and care to patients, including the wounded and vulnerable, within the Gaza Strip.

Over 500 Days in Detention Without Charge

According to Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), an Israeli rights organization, Dr. Abu Safia has been held without formal charges for more than 500 days. His lawyer, Nasser Abu Odeh, informed Al Jazeera that Dr. Hussam remains in solitary confinement at Nafha Prison. Abu Odeh noted that his client appeared in court via screen, handcuffed and shackled, and that the court declined requests to remove the restraints.

Concerns about Dr. Abu Safia's medical care have also been raised. Abu Odeh stated that the doctor has not received necessary medical treatment or the medications required for a chronic illness. Furthermore, he continues to experience severe back and neck pain, reportedly resulting from an assault. Vision problems have also been reported since his glasses were confiscated and have not been returned.

Family's Emotional Reaction and Allegations of Deliberate Neglect

Ilyas Abu Safia, Dr. Abu Safia's son, spoke to Al Jazeera after the court session, describing the family's distress upon seeing his father's latest image. "When we saw his latest image, we received it with shock, with tears and with weeping," Ilyas stated. "We did not only see the face of a father we have missed for many long months, we saw the marks of torture, pain and exhaustion clearly etched on his face."

Abu Odeh corroborated these concerns, adding that visible signs of a skin disease had appeared on Dr. Abu Safia's hands. He suggested this condition is prevalent among Palestinian political prisoners and implied that Israeli authorities might be deliberately withholding medical care to further oppress detainees. These allegations underscore a broader pattern of concern regarding the treatment of prisoners in the region.

Background of Dr. Abu Safia's Arrest and Legal Status

Dr. Abu Safia was apprehended by the Israeli army on December 27, 2024, during a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Prior to his arrest, he had gained recognition for defying Israeli orders to evacuate the hospital, choosing instead to remain and treat his patients. He was also known for his public video statements appealing to the international community to intervene and halt attacks on medical facilities in Gaza. Tragically, he had previously led the funeral procession for his son, Ibrahim, who was killed in an Israeli drone strike at the hospital gate of the hospital.

Since his detention, Dr. Abu Safia has been held under Israel’s "Unlawful Combatant Law," legislation enacted in 2002. This law permits indefinite detention without formal charges and, controversially, strips prisoners of protections typically afforded under the Geneva Conventions. The court has postponed a ruling on the continuation of his detention, with a decision anticipated within days.

International Calls for Release and Ongoing Concerns in Gaza

Numerous international bodies and human rights organizations, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and various human rights groups and lawyers, have consistently called for Dr. Abu Safia’s immediate release. Previous statements from these organizations have cited reports of abuse and mistreatment during his Israeli custody, noting severe weight loss, skin infections, and medical neglect.

Dr. Abu Safia's case has garnered renewed attention amidst continued Israeli military operations across the Gaza Strip, despite a "ceasefire" agreement reportedly reached in October 2025. Recent reports indicate ongoing violence in the region. For instance, on Thursday, a Palestinian man was killed when Israeli forces shelled an apartment building near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Additionally, two individuals were wounded by an Israeli drone strike in the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, and a woman sustained critical injuries from drone fire in the Beit Lahiya area of northern Gaza, according to the Palestinian Wafa news agency. These incidents highlight the precarious humanitarian situation and ongoing instability in the region, adding urgency to calls for the humane treatment of all detainees.

Source: Detained Gaza doctor Hussam Abu Safia shows signs of torture, family says