Concerns Emerge Over Detention Conditions of Gaza Medic
A lawyer representing a prominent Palestinian doctor detained without charge by Israeli authorities has voiced grave concerns about his client's wellbeing. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a respected medic from Gaza, has been held for over 18 months, and his lawyer, Nasser Odeh, reported severe mistreatment during a recent visit.
Allegations of Severe Beating
During a visit to the Rakefet interrogation facility, Odeh found that Abu Safiya had been so severely beaten that he was nearly unrecognizable. Odeh told the BBC that his client had suffered from significant violence, particularly on the day of the visit, and had nearly lost consciousness multiple times.
According to Odeh, Abu Safiya described an assault by more than five guards using hands, batons, and hammers following a Supreme Court appeal in Jerusalem. The doctor reportedly received no medical care for his injuries, which included visible bruises and signs of torture. Abu Safiya expressed that he felt his life was in danger, stating, "I'm living in hell. The mind can't imagine what I go through every day."
Official Responses and Legal Actions
The Israel Prison Service has refuted these allegations, calling them unfounded. Meanwhile, Israel's Supreme Court has demanded a government response to a petition for the release of Abu Safiya and 13 other Palestinian doctors held without charge.
Dr. Abu Safiya, who previously served as the director of Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, was detained in December 2024. The Israeli military claimed the hospital was a "Hamas terrorist stronghold," leading to its evacuation. The doctor was accused of being involved in terrorist activities and holding a rank in Hamas, a charge denied by colleagues and international aid groups.
The Unlawful Combatants Law under which Abu Safiya is held allows for indefinite detention without charge if individuals are deemed security risks. This law, along with the treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, has faced criticism from various quarters.
International Reactions and Human Rights Concerns
The United Nations Committee against Torture has expressed deep concern about reports of widespread mistreatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. A report from the Israel-based group Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) noted that at least 94 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody in less than two years.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the situation, calling it "truly horrifying" and urging immediate action. PHRI has pushed for Abu Safiya's transfer to receive urgent medical treatment and visitation by a judge. The group also filed a petition in April for the release of Abu Safiya and other detained Palestinian doctors.
Furthermore, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recently labeled Abu Safiya's detention as arbitrary and called for his immediate release. The panel suggested that his case might represent a broader pattern of arbitrary detention practices in Israel.
The BBC has reached out to the Israel Prison Service for comments on the UN's findings, but no further details have been provided.
Source: Original Article
