Israeli authorities have acknowledged holding Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, following earlier statements to an NGO claiming no knowledge of his detention. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed he is undergoing investigation by security forces and alleged his involvement with Hamas, claiming he held a position within the organization.
Dr. Abu Safiya’s arrest occurred during the IDF’s evacuation of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. The military ordered the facility’s evacuation last Friday, giving staff and patients approximately 15 minutes to gather in the courtyard. The IDF claims the hospital served as a Hamas operations center.
Before the confirmation, Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) submitted a petition to Israel’s High Court of Justice requesting disclosure of Dr. Abu Safiya’s whereabouts. The court has given the IDF one week to respond. Family members believe he is being held at Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel, a primary detention facility for Gaza detainees.
During the hospital evacuation, the IDF reports detaining 240 alleged combatants. Video documentation shows Dr. Abu Safiya approaching an Israeli military vehicle before being taken for questioning. This marks his second detention; he was previously arrested and released during an October raid on the hospital. During that operation, his 15-year-old son was killed in a drone strike.
Amnesty International’s head has called for immediate disclosure of Dr. Abu Safiya’s location, noting concerns about the detention of Palestinian healthcare workers. While Amnesty alleges mistreatment of detainees, Israeli authorities maintain that all detainees receive appropriate treatment.
The hospital is located in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, where UN reports indicate 10,000-15,000 people remain under restricted aid access. The UN Human Rights Office has expressed concerns about potential war crimes regarding attacks on Gaza’s healthcare facilities, while Israel maintains its operations comply with international law.
The military campaign in Gaza began following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Gaza’s health ministry reports over 45,580 Palestinian casualties since the conflict’s start.
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