Israeli forces tortured detained Gaza doctor, family says
The family of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, a paediatrician and director of Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, has accused Israeli forces of subjecting him to “severe mistreatment and torture” following his arrest on 27 December 2024.
According to his family, Abu Safiya was held in solitary confinement for 24 days. There was a visit to Abu Safiya at Israel’s Ofer prison, following which it was reported that his health remains stable but that he suffers from chronic high blood pressure and an enlarged heart muscle. He is receiving treatment but is only given one "inadequate" meal per day.
“Regarding his legal case, it is clean, and there are no charges against him,” his family said in a post on X.
They added that his release could be imminent, as Israeli prosecutors have not filed charges. Abu Safiya has called for international intervention to secure his release and that of all detained medical personnel, stressing that healthcare workers must be protected, their rights upheld, and their immediate release ensured.
Good evening to everyone,
— Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya د.حسام أبو صفية (@HussamAbuSafiya) February 11, 2025
By the grace of God, we were informed of the details and report of the visit. My father was subjected to severe mistreatment and torture by the army in the early days of his arrest and was held in solitary confinement for 24 days. After that, he was…