As Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya’s life is in “immediate danger” UN inquiry commission calls for Gaza doctor’s release

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, 52, paediatrician and director of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, has been imprisoned without charge since 27 December 2024.

The Israeli occupation has beaten and tortured him, and kept him in solitary confinement on a regular basis. Now the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has called for the Israeli occupation to release him, saying it is deeply concerned by reports of his treatment while in detention.

Calls for “Immediate release” of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya

UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the #oPt calls on Israel to "release Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, Director of Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital, and all arbitrarily detained Palestinian medical personnel".

It is concerned by "reports of continued, severe abuse of these personnel." pic.twitter.com/0fBPWGcEZY

— United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) July 8, 2026

In a statement published on 8 July, the Commission said it had received credible reports that Dr. Abu Safiya has been subjected to “continued and severe abuse” since being detained. It called for his “immediate, unconditional and safe release” and urged the Israeli occupation to ensure he receives immediate independent medical care.

Arbitrary detention of medical workers violates international law

The Commission also called for the release of all Palestinian medical workers it says are being held arbitrarily. It described their continued detention and mistreatment as:

flagrant violations of international law” that could “likely amount to international crimes.

The statement comes as Abu Safiya’s lawyer, Nasser Odeh, warns that Abu Safiya’s life is in “immediate danger.” While visiting Abu Safiya on 2 July, Odeh struggled to recognise his client at first because of new, severe wounds to his head, eyes, ears and neck. During the visit, Abu Safiya also struggled to breathe and speak continuously. He appeared extremely weak and was unable to sit upright without falling. Several times he seemed to be on the verge of losing consciousness.

According to Physicians for Human Rights Israel, Attorney Odeh noted that Abu Safiya seemed extremely frightened and psychologically distressed. He was also reluctant to speak openly in case he was targeted.

Severe deterioration of Abu Safiya’s physical and mental state

Odeh said:

I have visited Dr. Abu Safiya several times since his detention, but the individual I encountered during this latest visit was not the same person I had previously met. His physical and psychological state, the severe injuries visible on his body, and his personal testimony leave no room for doubt: his life is in immediate danger. He must be transferred out of the Rakefet facility immediately and granted an urgent, independent examination.

Abu Safiya’s physical and psychological condition has severely deteriorated, and he has expressed grave fear for his life. During the lawyer-client meeting he said:

This is the last time you will see me… They brought me here to kill me. I don’t see myself surviving. This is the end.

He was brought to the visit with his hands and feet shackled, surrounded by masked prison guards.

“Israeli” prison guards attacked Abu Safiya with a hammer

Abu Safiya told his lawyer that prison guards attacked him with a hammer and batons. This happened after his Supreme Court hearing on 10 June, while he was in solitary confinement at Ganot Prison. Since being transferred to the Rakefet facility on 24 June, he says he has experienced daily beatings. Although these have resulted in several instances where he has lost consciousness, Abu Safiya has received no appropriate medical treatment.

The Commission said the reported treatment of Dr. Hussam reflected a broader pattern of violations it has documented during its investigations into the Gaza genocide. It said occupation security forces had:

“deliberately killed, wounded, detained, and severely mistreated medical personnel”, constituting “the war crimes of wilful killing and torture and the crime against humanity of extermination.”

According to the Commission, these actions formed part of

“a concerted policy to destroy the health-care system of Gaza.”

It reiterated its previous finding that the Israeli occupation committed genocide by targeting Gaza’s healthcare system and medical professionals,

“intentionally forcing Palestinians to live without access to crucial medical care, consequently killing many and causing further irreparable harm which prevented their capacity and possibility to heal, recover and live.”

Legal accountability must be upheld

Calling again for Dr. Abu Safiya’s release, the Commission said the continued arbitrary detention of Palestinian medical personnel and the severe mistreatment they are subjected to are

“deplorable and flagrant violations of international law.”

It stressed that those imprisoned are protected against

“murder, torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and sexual violence.”

The Commission urged the Israeli occupation to “adhere strictly to international humanitarian law and international human rights law” and said it remains committed to ensuring “legal accountability” by continuing to investigate alleged violations and identify those responsible before sharing its findings with relevant judicial authorities.

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