Key facts
- Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) is seeking an independent medical examination for detained Gaza doctor Hussam Abu Safiya.
- Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, was detained by Israeli forces in late 2024.
- PHRI alleges Abu Safiya has been beaten by prison guards and is held in isolation.
- The rights group is also petitioning for the release of 14 Palestinian doctors held by Israel without charge.
- Abu Safiya has requested medical care, including an ophthalmologist visit and pain medication.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) has filed a petition with an administrative court, urging the Israeli prison system to permit an independent physician to examine Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya. Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, was detained by Israeli forces during a raid on the hospital in late 2024. He has reportedly been held without formal charges or a trial since December 2024 in the Rakefet detention facility.
PHRI stated that Abu Safiya informed his lawyer he was beaten by prison guards, resulting in a finger injury and bleeding. The organization also reported that Abu Safiya is being held in isolation under harsh conditions, with masked guards present during his lawyer's visits, hindering confidential communication. He has requested to be transferred from solitary confinement, receive adequate medical care including an ophthalmologist examination, have his prescription glasses returned, and resume pain medication.
These developments occur as PHRI pursues a separate petition to secure the release of 14 Palestinian doctors from Gaza, including Abu Safiya, who are allegedly held by Israel without charge or trial. The Israeli government has requested the court dismiss this petition, while the court has directed the petitioners to respond to the state's arguments by July 19. A decision on whether to proceed with the case is pending the court's review of the response.
According to Palestinian prisoners' organizations, Israel currently holds approximately 9,500 Palestinian detainees, including 350 children, 99 women, and 3,244 administrative detainees, with allegations of torture, starvation, and medical neglect.