GAZA, (PIC)
The family of Palestinian doctor Hossam Abu Safiya continues to live in constant fear over his fate as he remains imprisoned in Israeli detention nearly 18 months after his arrest, amid reports that he is being subjected to systematic starvation, denied medical care, and cut off from communication with his family.
Dr. Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, was arrested after surrendering himself to Israeli forces during the Israeli military raid on the hospital in December 2024 in an attempt to prevent soldiers from storming the facility and attacking medical staff and patients.
Elias Abu Safiya, the detained doctor’s son, said his 52-year-old father is enduring catastrophic conditions in Israeli prisons and suffering severe health deterioration due to being denied treatment and basic medical rights.
He explained that Israeli authorities allowed his father to meet with his lawyer only after 90 days of denying visits, following international pressure. He added that the family lives in constant fear because of the information they receive about his health and detention conditions.
The family, he said, now treats every phone call concerning his father as though it could be the last, stressing that their suffering mirrors that of countless Palestinian families with relatives held in Israeli prisons.
Elias described the reports coming from Israeli prisons as “terrifying,” saying they deepen the anguish of detainees’ families, who live through what he called continuous torment. He noted that the family has not been able to communicate with Dr. Abu Safiya since his arrest and relies entirely on updates from his lawyer, Nasser Odeh.
The doctor’s son also expressed disbelief that his father continues to be detained and tortured despite never being formally charged with any crime. He said the only thing his father did was try to save wounded patients and children inside the hospital, while his record before Israeli prosecutors and the Supreme Court contains no accusations or violations.
He revealed that his father’s lawyer, together with the organization Physicians for Human Rights, confirmed that Dr. Abu Safiya and 375 medical workers detained by Israel from Gaza have not been charged with any offenses to date.
According to Elias, Israeli authorities are holding them under the “Unlawful Combatant” law, which allows Palestinians to be detained for long periods without indictment or ordinary trial procedures.
