DaysofPal- In a move condemned by human rights organizations and medical professionals alike, the Israeli army issued an order to classify the detained Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya (52 years old), director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip, as an unlawful combatant instead of subjecting him to regular trial.
The decision was announced just one day before a scheduled hearing to extend his detention in violation of the standard legal process.
According to a statement by the Palestinian Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, the head of the Israeli army’s Southern Command, Yaron Finkelman, issued an order on Feb. 12 to detain Abu Safiya, 52, under the unlawful combatant law “instead of conducting a standard legal trial.”
Torture and Health Concerns
This order follows a visit by the Center’s lawyer on February 11, 2025, to Dr. Abu Safiya in Ofer Prison, which revealed that he had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment.
The NGO said its lawyer visited Abu Safiya at Ofer Prison on Feb. 11 and documented evidence that he had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment.
According to reports provided by the doctor himself, he endured brutal conditions, including being stripped naked, having his hands bound, sitting on sharp pebbles for five hours, and being repeatedly beaten with an electric baton, in addition to being kept in solitary confinement for 24 days at Sde Teiman prison.
Dr. Abu Safiya suffers from chronic health issues, including high blood pressure and an enlarged heart muscle, yet has not received adequate medical care despite repeated requests to prison authorities. His deteriorating health condition underscores the urgency of calls for his immediate release and proper treatment.
Legal Implications and International Criticism
The Unlawful Combatant Law, invoked by Israeli authorities, permits indefinite detention without formal charges or trials, contravening principles enshrined in international humanitarian law.
Under this framework, detainees like Dr. Abu Safiya must wait up to 45 days for confirmation of their arrest orders by the Central Court in Beersheba, followed by potential extensions every six months.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights emphasized that no indictments have been filed against Dr. Abu Safiya, highlighting the absence of credible evidence supporting the accusations levied against him.
Lawyer Jabareen described the claims as baseless, accusing the Israeli public prosecution of failing to substantiate its allegations against the prominent healthcare leader.
Appeal for Global Action
In a poignant message conveyed through Jabareen, Dr. Abu Safiya appealed to the global community to demand justice for himself and other detained medical personnel from Gaza’s hospitals.
He stressed the importance of protecting healthcare workers in conflict zones, as mandated by international law, which explicitly prohibits assaults on medical staff and facilities.
Family and advocates of Dr. Abu Safiya are urging international bodies, governments, and civil society organizations to intervene on behalf of the detained doctor and others similarly affected.
They argue that holding medical professionals hostage undermines essential healthcare services in already precarious environments like the Gaza Strip.
As tensions persist, the case of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians under occupation and the critical need for accountability and respect for human rights.
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