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Medical professionals from around the world have voiced grave concerns over the well-being of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, who was detained by Israel during a raid on the facility on December 27, 2024.
Since his detention, there have been no updates regarding his condition, and many fear he may suffer a fate similar to Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh, a prominent Palestinian orthopedic surgeon who died in Israeli custody after being arrested during the military’s ground invasion of the Jabalya refugee camp in April.
Abu Safiya’s detention has ignited widespread outrage among healthcare workers, who see it as part of a broader pattern of targeting medical professionals in Gaza.
“We are extremely worried,” said Dr. Semia Sadfi Charbonnier, a general practitioner in Geneva, referring to reports of torture faced by Abu Safiya in Israeli custody. Charbonnier, a member of the International Healthcare Workers Coalition, which represents over 100 global healthcare organisations, expressed fears that Abu Safiya could face similar treatment to Al-Bursh.
“Dr. Abu Safiya is a symbol of resistance, and Israel doesn’t want that. They seek to eliminate any resistance among the Palestinian people,” she said, adding that Abu Safiya is viewed as a hero by healthcare workers worldwide.
She called for stronger international action, urging the UN to put pressure on Israel to end the ongoing impunity. “Resolutions alone aren’t enough. We demand real action to hold those responsible accountable.”
The abuse and torture of healthcare workers in Gaza is a significant concern, with Sara Galli, an anesthesiologist from the Netherlands, highlighting documented instances of such mistreatment. Galli pointed out several high-profile cases of detained health professionals, including one director who was held for eight months without evidence and another who lost 25 kilograms due to starvation during 45 days in detention.
“These cases of abuse have been corroborated by international organisations like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the UN,” Galli stated, stressing the need for accountability in the face of these ongoing violations.
Dr. Huseyin Durmaz, a family physician in Turkey, also condemned the detention of Abu Safiya as an unprecedented event. “We will not rest until Dr. Abu Safiya and all detained healthcare workers are freed and returned to their vital work,” Durmaz declared.
The situation raises critical questions about the treatment of medical professionals in conflict zones and calls into focus the enforcement of international humanitarian law to protect those working to save lives.
