Dr Hussam Abu Safiya is in critical condition following torture and starvation in Israeli prison

Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, a paeditrican and former director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza who was detained by Israel, is in critical condiiton, Middle East Monitor reported on Monday.

Since he was detained by Israeli forces without charge in December and put into the notorious Ofer prison in Israel, he has lost nearly half of his body weight his lawyer Ghaid Ghanem Qassem said due to forced starvation.

He was severely beaten on 24 June, his lawyer said, and sustained injuries to his rib cage, face, head, and neck.

Dr Abu Safiya is currently suffering from high blood pressure and a heart condition but has been denied medication or access to specialist medical care by Israeli prison authorities.

Qassem said he was being held in solitary confinement in an underground cell, where the sun does not enter, as well as enduring torture. 

Qassem added that glasses that were delivered to Dr Abu Safiya were deliberately broken.

Chairman of the Euro-Med human rights monitor Ramy Abdu visited Dr Abu Safiya on 9 July, and reported that he was being held in harrowing conditions.

The Israeli military has disproportionately targeted health workers since its war began.