Gaza's Dr Hussam Abu Safia is still held by Israel, no sign of release

"Then in December as Israeli forces surrounded the hospital, an Israeli officer called Abu Safia and promised to relocate him and his staff to another hospital. But the promise was a lie. Instead, the paediatrician and neonatologist was abducted by Israeli forces. Ten months later, Abu Safia is still in detention as Israel has refused to include him in prisoner exchanges."

"His lawyer said he's been subjected to torture and inhumane treatment, including long periods in solitary confinement. Before his arrest, Abu Safia watched Israel's war on Gaza unfold with increasing brutality. During the earlier days of the war, Abu Safia would do his rounds daily and make videos, calling for international support and awareness over Israel's war on his homeland. Thousands of people were being killed, and Israel's siege of Gaza meant that much-needed equipment and medicine were not getting in."

"Despite increased attacks on healthcare workers, Abu Safia refused to abandon his patients, even after he went from doctor to patient when he was wounded in a drone strike on the hospital on November 25. His family began to ask him if it might be better to leave Gaza altogether. He said: If you want to travel, take the kids, but I'm going to stay here to work,' his wife, Albina, said."

Dr Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, was repeatedly warned by Israeli soldiers in 2024 to take his family and leave but remained to care for patients. In December, an Israeli officer promised to relocate him and staff but instead he was abducted by Israeli forces. He has been detained without charge for ten months and Israel has refused to include him in prisoner exchanges. His lawyer says he has suffered torture, inhumane treatment and long solitary confinement. Before arrest he documented daily rounds and called for international support as Gaza's siege and attacks crippled medical supplies and infrastructure. He remained committed to patients even after being wounded in a November 25 drone strike.

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