Israeli prison assaults, abuse leave Dr. Abu Safiya with rib fractures (AlMAYADEEN)
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, detained Palestinian physician and director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, suffered fractures in his rib cage as a result of violent assaults by Israeli prison authorities, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office reported on Wednesday.
In a statement, the office said Abu Safiya was subjected to severe abuse inside the Israeli-run Rakevet prison, causing injuries that include fractured ribs.
The office said July 27 was the most difficult day Abu Safiya had experienced since his detention, stating that he was subjected to “brutal torture” inside the notorious facility.
Prisoners’ office warns of his deteriorating health
According to the statement, prison authorities have continued to assault Dr. Abu Safiya despite his critical health condition and injuries.
The office warned of a serious deterioration in his health, noting that he suffers from heart disease and high blood pressure, in addition to injuries sustained during the assaults.
It held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for Abu Safiya’s life, accusing prison authorities of continuing assaults and medical neglect against him.
The statement added that Abu Safiya spent 21 days in solitary confinement under harsh conditions that worsened his physical and psychological suffering.
Timeline of Abu Safiya’s detention
Abu Safiya has become a prominent symbol of international criticism over “Israel’s” detention of Palestinian medical workers during its genocidal war on Gaza.
Abu Safiya was detained on December 27, 2024, while working at Kamal Adwan Hospital during Israeli military operations in northern Gaza. He was detained alongside other medical staff and patients and has since been held under the Israeli “unlawful combatant” designation, a classification that allows authorities to hold detainees for extended periods without formal charges or trial.
His detention took place amid “Israel’s” military aggression in northern Gaza, where hospitals and healthcare workers have faced repeated attacks and restrictions, according to Palestinian officials and humanitarian organizations.
Before his detention, Abu Safiya was one of the most prominent medical figures documenting the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. He continued working at Kamal Adwan Hospital despite repeated attacks on the facility and the killing of his son in an Israeli drone strike.
Calls for Abu Safiya’s release intensify
Since his detention, Palestinian rights groups, UN bodies, and international organizations have repeatedly called for Abu Safiya’s release, citing concerns over his legal status, detention conditions, and deteriorating health.
During his first court appearance in June 2026, Abu Safiya demanded his immediate release, describing his detention as “unjust and arbitrary.” According to his lawyer, Nasser Abu Awda, the physician appeared before the court with his hands cuffed and stressed that he had provided medical care to civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The court postponed a decision on whether to extend his detention, leaving his legal status unresolved.
His defense team and rights organizations have reported harsh detention conditions, including shortages of food and water, denial of adequate medical care, and worsening health problems linked to chronic illnesses.
Abu Safiya was transferred between prisons and later placed in solitary confinement. The organization said a legal visit documented deteriorating conditions, including untreated medical issues and restricted access to basic necessities.
UN bodies raise concerns over detention
Last month, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory called for the “immediate, unconditional and safe release” of Abu Safiya and other detained medical workers, while demanding independent medical access for him.
The commission said Abu Safiya’s case reflected broader concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees and warned that actions by Israeli prison authorities could amount to international crimes.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has also described Abu Safiya’s detention as unlawful, saying it violated international human rights protections.
Rights organizations have warned that Abu Safiya’s case is not isolated, pointing to broader statements of abuse and mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
Growing concerns over Gaza medical workers
Abu Safiya is among dozens of Palestinian healthcare workers detained during the war on Gaza, including at least 14 Gaza doctors who rights groups say are being held without charge.
His detention has become a symbol of wider concerns over the treatment of medical personnel in Gaza. In September 2025, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry said Israeli attacks on Gaza’s healthcare system and medical workers since October 2023 amounted to genocide.
The latest reports of Abu Safiya’s injuries and worsening health have renewed calls from Palestinian rights groups and international bodies for his release and urgent medical intervention.
