World News
Rights group reports ongoing abuse of detained Gaza doctor Hussam Abu Safia in Israeli custody
Physicians for Human Rights Israel says the jailed physician continues to face physical beatings and sleep deprivation while held without charge.
The short version
- Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) reported that detained Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safia continues to face beatings, threats, and sleep deprivation in Israeli custody following an August 30 lawyer visit.
- Abu Safia was detained in December 2024 from Kamal Adwan Hospital and is being held without charge or trial under Israel's unlawful combatants law.
- PHRI is pursuing legal action to allow an independent physician to examine Abu Safia after detention authorities delayed responding to a request submitted in July.
Key facts
- Attorney Nasser Odeh visited Dr. Hussam Abu Safia on August 30 at the Rakefet detention facility inside Nitzan Prison, where the doctor reported ongoing beatings with batons and deliberate sleep deprivation.[Al Jazeera]
- Israeli forces detained Abu Safia on December 27, 2024, from Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza after he refused evacuation orders.[Al Jazeera]
- Abu Safia is held without formal charges or trial under Israel's unlawful combatants law.[Al Jazeera]
- PHRI submitted a request on July 7 for an independent doctor to examine Abu Safia, which has not yet been approved by the Israel Prison Service.[Al Jazeera]
- A United Nations inquiry commission, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have previously called for Abu Safia's release and independent medical access.[Al Jazeera]
- According to PHRI, 14 doctors from Gaza remain in Israeli detention without charges, and at least 105 Palestinian detainees have died in custody since October 2023.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- The Israel Prison Service has not yet formally responded in court or approved requests regarding Abu Safia's independent medical evaluation.[Al Jazeera]