Detained Gaza doctor almost unrecognisable after injuries in Israeli jail, lawyer says

Gaza Doctor Suffering Severe Injuries in Israeli Custody, Legal Representative Asserts

Detained Gaza doctor almost unrecognisable after - Following an 18-month detention without formal charges or a trial, Hussam Abu Safiya, a respected physician from Gaza, has reportedly deteriorated to the point of being barely identifiable, according to his legal representative, Nasser Odeh. The lawyer described Abu Safiya’s condition during a recent visit on 2 July, after the doctor was transferred to Israel’s Rakefet prison, a facility known for its harsh conditions. Abu Safiya exhibited severe physical symptoms, including labored breathing and difficulty speaking, and was so frail that he could barely maintain an upright position. His state was described as perilously close to unconsciousness, with Odeh emphasizing that the doctor’s health has reached a critical stage.

A Pattern of Attacks on Healthcare in Occupied Palestine

Abu Safiya’s ordeal is part of a wider campaign of Israeli military actions targeting medical facilities and personnel in the occupied territories. As director of the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, he had become a symbol of resilience for healthcare workers striving to provide aid amid the ongoing conflict. However, his arrest in late May by Israeli forces marked a turning point, with his condition worsening significantly since his detention. Odeh noted that Abu Safiya was moved to the Ganot prison complex in late May and placed in solitary confinement without prior explanation, a decision that reportedly preceded a violent attack by guards wielding hammers and batons.

During a video appeal hearing, Abu Safiya was subjected to a brutal assault, which left him visibly shaken. Following the incident, he was transferred to Rakefet prison on 24 June, where his health deteriorated further. Odeh described the prison as a place of darkness and confinement, with prisoners experiencing prolonged exposure to dim lighting and cramped conditions. The lawyer’s account highlights the systematic neglect of medical needs in detention, stating that the individual he encountered during a recent visit was not the same as the one he had met before. “His physical and psychological state, the severe injuries visible on his body, and his personal testimony leave no room for doubt: his life is in immediate danger,” Odeh asserted in a joint statement with Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI).

A Newborn’s Tragic Fate Amid Checkpoint Delays

Meanwhile, the death of a four-month-old infant, Ahmad Maarouf Zaid, has drawn international attention. Born to a family in Deir Ammar refugee camp through years of IVF treatment, the baby was healthy for most of his short life. On Sunday morning, his parents alerted emergency services after he developed a high fever. Medics dispatched an ambulance to the Ein Ayoub gate of the camp, but Israeli forces blocked the vehicle from entering through the main checkpoint. As a result, the family had to transport the critically ill child along unpaved, mountainous paths to Ramallah, a journey that delayed critical care by over an hour. The infant succumbed to his injuries shortly before the family’s report reached the media.

PHRI’s director for the region, Milena Ansari, linked this incident to a broader trend of Israeli authorities undermining the right to health for Palestinians. “The reports of a newborn dying after delays at a West Bank checkpoint, the arrest of a physician providing medical care, and the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza should not be understood as isolated events,” she said. “They reflect a coordinated effort to erode the conditions necessary for medical care and survival.” Ansari’s statement underscores the systemic impact of the conflict on both healthcare workers and vulnerable patients, including infants.

Rakefet Prison: A History of Inhuman Conditions

Rakefet, a prison facility originally constructed in the 1980s to detain organized crime figures, has undergone a transformation into a symbol of harsh treatment under Israeli military rule. Closed earlier for its inhumane conditions, the prison was reopened on the orders of far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Its cells are described as overcrowded and poorly ventilated, with prisoners enduring constant darkness and limited access to medical attention. Other detainees have reported suffocation-like symptoms, even without the severe injuries sustained by Abu Safiya.

Odeh, speaking on Sunday, called for an immediate independent medical examination, citing the urgent need to assess Abu Safiya’s deteriorating health. The doctor’s physical and mental state, according to his lawyer, has become so alarming that it raises serious concerns about his survival. “He appeared frightened, distressed, and reluctant to speak freely during our meeting,” Odeh said. “Yet he confirmed that he had been subjected to daily beatings and had lost consciousness multiple times since his arrival at Rakefet.” These accounts align with reports from other detainees, who describe the prison as a place where health is compromised through prolonged deprivation and physical abuse.

Abu Safiya’s case has sparked renewed calls for the release of Palestinian detainees held indefinitely. With thousands of civilians in similar conditions, the prison system has been criticized by Israeli rights groups as a network of torture camps. His legal team argues that the combination of physical harm and psychological trauma has placed him at “tangible risk of death,” a claim that contrasts with the Israel prison service’s stance. A spokesperson for the service dismissed Odeh’s allegations as “false and entirely without factual basis,” though they declined to comment on Abu Safiya’s health, citing privacy concerns.

Amid these escalating tensions, the death of Ahmad Maarouf Zaid serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll of the conflict. The baby, described as a “longed-for” child by his family, was born after years of IVF treatment, symbolizing hope and resilience. His passing highlights the precariousness of accessing timely medical care, particularly in areas under strict Israeli control. The family’s account of being stopped by four soldiers at the checkpoint, despite their urgent need to reach the ambulance, has intensified scrutiny of the military’s actions in restricting movement and access to essential services.

PHRI and other advocacy groups are using Abu Safiya’s case to illustrate the broader consequences of the ongoing war on Gaza. They argue that the detention of medical professionals not only disrupts healthcare operations but also sends a message of intimidation to the entire medical community. Abu Safiya’s condition, they assert, is emblematic of the systemic neglect and violence inflicted upon those who serve as lifelines in the crisis. With the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsening, the call for his release and for an independent review of the prison system has gained momentum, underscoring the urgency of addressing the plight of detained healthcare workers and civilians alike.

Human Rights Concerns and the Path Forward

As Abu Safiya continues to endure harsh conditions, his legal team remains determined to highlight the plight of detainees and the need for international intervention. Odeh emphasized that the doctor’s injuries, combined with the psychological trauma of prolonged detention, have rendered him a “living testament to the risks faced by Palestinians in Israeli custody.” The incident at Rakefet, where Abu Safiya was assaulted during a video appeal, further supports claims of systemic abuse. With the war persisting and the humanitarian crisis deepening, the medical community and human rights organizations are urging swift action to secure Abu Safiya’s health and freedom.

The prison service’s refusal to address Abu Safiya’s condition has fueled criticism, with advocates demanding transparency and accountability. As the international community weighs the evidence of abuse, the fate of the Gaza doctor and the countless others detained without due process remains a focal point of concern. His story, intertwined with the tragedy of Ahmad Maarouf Zaid’s death, paints a grim picture of the conflict’s impact on both healthcare and human rights, calling for urgent measures to protect those in the line of duty and ensure their survival in the face of relentless adversity.