Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya faces life-threatening conditions in 'Israeli' prison
“I entered in the name of humanity and I will leave in the name of humanity”.
With these words, Palestinian physician and detainee Hussam Abu Safiya, 52, described his ordeal inside 'Israel’s' Ofer prison, highlighting the alleged medical neglect and abuse faced by thousands of prisoners from Gaza.
Abu Safiya, arrested while providing treatment to the wounded, is reportedly in critical condition, raising urgent concerns about the treatment of medical personnel and the conditions of detention.
From Healing Wounded to Facing Torture
Abu Safiya’s lawyer, Gheed Kassem, detailed the severe deterioration of the doctor’s health. Having continued his humanitarian work up to his arrest, Abu Safiya has reportedly lost over 30 kilograms, suffers from high blood pressure, and experiences complications from prior shrapnel injuries.
Kassem said his health declined sharply following violent interrogation at the desert detention facility of Sde Teyman, where he was reportedly beaten, sustaining muscle tears and cardiac issues.
Conditions worsened after contracting scabies in Ofer prison, amid harsh detention circumstances including lack of sunlight, poor nutrition, solitary confinement, and constant restraints. Kassem added that prison authorities monitor her visits and exert pressure due to her media statements.
“Unlawful Combatant” Classification Masks Systematic Abuses
Abu Safiya is held under a designation as an “unlawful combatant,” a legal amendment reportedly applied to Gaza detainees, which allows automatic extensions of detention through procedural sessions without the presence of the prisoner or full access for lawyers, explained Amani Sarhanah, media official at the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club.
Abu Safiya’s current detention order is set to expire on September 12, but his fate remains uncertain amid the potential for extension or release.
Targeting Medical Personnel Strains Palestinian Health System
Sarhanah noted that Abu Safiya’s suffering reflects the broader plight of Gaza prisoners, emphasizing that targeting doctors and medical teams constitutes an attempt to undermine the Palestinian healthcare system. Thousands of detainees reportedly suffer from illnesses resulting from torture and neglect, and at least 46 detainees from Gaza have died in custody since the start of the conflict, with estimates suggesting higher numbers.
Calls for Accountability Amid International Silence
Rights advocates warn that conditions in 'Israeli' prisons constitute a continuation of alleged atrocities in Gaza, criticizing international institutions for issuing general statements without concrete action.
These abuses are reported amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict that began on October 7, 2023, which has left over 226,000 Palestinians dead or injured, the majority women and children.
