Gaza Hospital Chief in Critical State in Israeli Prison

The family of Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has issued a desperate plea for his release as his health continues to deteriorate rapidly. After more than 555 days in Israeli custody, the doctor’s son, Elyas Abu Safia, reported that his father is suffering from life-threatening injuries and is struggling to breathe or speak.

The alarm was raised following a recent prison visit by attorney Nasser Odeh. According to the legal representative, Dr. Abu Safia, who was abducted by Israeli forces from his workplace in December 2024, has been transferred to the high-security Rakefet section of Nitzan prison. His physical condition has reportedly left his legal counsel struggling to recognize him.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) has corroborated these harrowing details, noting that the doctor was brought to the visitation room with his hands and feet bound, surrounded by masked guards. The organization documented severe bruising on his face, head, and neck, along with reports of the doctor losing consciousness repeatedly while in detention.

Elyas Abu Safia, himself a medical professional, released a video message condemning the treatment of his father. He highlighted the “disfigured” state of his father’s face, attributing the trauma to alleged systemic abuse and torture following a recent court appearance in Jerusalem. The family believes his life is now hanging by a thread.

The detention of Dr. Abu Safia occurred during a period of intense military pressure on Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. The family’s tragedy is compounded by the death of another son, Ibrahim, who was killed in an Israeli drone strike near Kamal Adwan Hospital just two months prior to the doctor’s arrest.

In his emotional appeal, Elyas expressed deep frustration with the international community, accusing Arab and Muslim leaders of a “betrayal” through their silence. He argued that the lack of diplomatic pressure serves as tacit complicity in the ongoing detention and alleged mistreatment of hostages held within the Israeli penal system.

As advocacy groups continue to call for an independent medical evaluation and immediate intervention, the case of Dr. Abu Safia serves as a grim reflection of the broader humanitarian crisis impacting medical personnel in the region.

Summary:
1. Dr. Hussam Abu Safia is in critical condition after 555 days in prison.
2. Legal counsel and rights groups document severe signs of torture and physical abuse.
3. The doctor’s son has issued an urgent plea for international intervention.
4. PHRI warns that the detention conditions are life-threatening.