Concerns rise for Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyya amid torture allegations

The Israeli Occupation government faces mounting pressure to ensure the safety of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, who has reportedly suffered severe torture and mistreatment since his detention in late December.

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor raised alarm over Abu Safiyya's deteriorating health condition, particularly during his time at the Sde Teiman military base in southern 'Israel', which has been dubbed "Israel's Guantanamo Bay."

Reports indicate that Israeli Occupation soldiers physically assaulted Abu Safiyya immediately after he left the hospital on Dec. 27, 2024. Eyewitnesses revealed that he was targeted with sound bombs while attempting to evacuate the facility in compliance with orders from the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).

Following his initial assault, Abu Safiyya was taken to a field interrogation site in the Al-Fakhura area of Jabalia Refugee Camp, where he allegedly endured severe beatings and humiliation, including being whipped with thick wire used for electrical work.

Abu Safiyya was later transferred to an undisclosed location before arriving at Sde Teiman military camp. Recent testimonies from former detainees confirm that he has been subjected to extreme torture, leading to significant health deterioration, especially after sustaining injuries from IOF air strikes on the hospital.

In an effort to control the narrative surrounding Abu Safiyya’s situation, the IOF has disseminated misleading information. Pro-"Israeli" media outlets shared a promotional video portraying his treatment as humane, despite evidence of his mistreatment.

On Jan. 2, 2024, Physicians for Human Rights – Israel (PHRI) sought to obtain information about Abu Safiyya's detention and facilitate legal representation for his family, but "Israeli" authorities claimed they had no record of his arrest.

The situation raised fears that Abu Safiyya may face execution during his detention, echoing the fates of other medical professionals such as Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh, who died under torture at Ofer Detention Centre in April 2024, and Dr. Iyad Al-Rantisi, who was killed in a Shin Bet interrogation center in November 2023.

His arrest and potential execution are seen as part of a systematic strategy aimed at undermining the Palestinian population in Gaza, both physically and psychologically.