Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, is facing dire health conditions and inhumane treatment in Israeli detention, according to his family.

Detained since December 27, 2024, during a brutal Israeli military raid on the hospital, Dr. Abu Safiya has lost 30kg (66 pounds) and is suffering from critical health issues, including an enlarged heart muscle and high blood pressure, exacerbated by the denial of medication and relentless torture. His son, Elias, told the Palestinian Information Center that the doctor is enduring “harsh and catastrophic” conditions in Israel’s notorious Ofer Prison, where he has been subjected to severe beatings, solitary confinement, and psychological intimidation.

Dr. Abu Safiya, a pediatrician and a beacon of resilience in Gaza’s decimated healthcare system, was awarded the 2025 Nizar Banat Award for human rights defenders by the Palestinian group Lawyers for Justice on Monday. The accolade recognizes his unwavering courage in the face of Israel’s systematic attacks on Gaza’s medical infrastructure. Despite holding a Kazakhstani passport, which could have allowed him to flee, Dr. Abu Safiya refused multiple Israeli orders to evacuate Kamal Adwan Hospital, choosing to stay with his patients and staff during a suffocating military siege. His defiance came at a profound personal cost: in October 2024, Israeli forces killed his 15-year-old son, Ibrahim, in a drone strike at the hospital’s gate, an act widely seen as retribution for his refusal to abandon his post.

For over 15 months, Dr. Abu Safiya has been a vocal advocate for Gaza’s collapsing healthcare system, issuing near-daily pleas to the international community to intervene against Israel’s relentless bombardment and blockade. His videos, often filmed amidst the rubble of Kamal Adwan Hospital, documented the dire conditions faced by patients and staff, including the deaths of infants in intensive care units due to Israeli attacks on medical oxygen generators. Despite sustaining shrapnel wounds in a November 2024 drone strike, he continued his work, embodying what many call a heroic stand against Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza.

The raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last functioning medical facilities in northern Gaza, left the region without healthcare services. Israeli forces set fire to the hospital, killed medical staff and patients, and detained over 350 people, including Dr. Abu Safiya and 180 of his colleagues. Reports from released detainees and his lawyer, Gheed Kassem, confirm he endured brutal interrogations at the infamous Sde Teiman detention center before being transferred to Ofer Prison. Kassem described acts of torture, including beatings to the head and forced consumption of sewage water, as part of a broader pattern of abuse against Palestinian detainees.

Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, and other global organizations have condemned Dr. Abu Safiya’s detention as a violation of international humanitarian law, which protects medical personnel in conflict zones. His arrest, under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law, lacks formal charges or evidence, with authorities alleging—without proof—that he is a Hamas operative. This mirrors the cases of other Gaza doctors, such as Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, who died under torture in Israeli custody in April 2024.

The international medical community has rallied for Dr. Abu Safiya’s release, with protests in cities like Little Rock, Arkansas, and calls from groups like MedGlobal and Doctors Against Genocide. “Dr. Abu Safiya is a symbol of humanity in Gaza, standing against Israel’s deliberate destruction of healthcare,” said Dr. Karameh Kuemmerle, a Boston-based pediatric neurologist. “His detention is not just an attack on him but on the right to healthcare itself.”

As Gaza’s population faces starvation, bombardment, and a lack of essential services, Dr. Abu Safiya’s plight underscores the broader tragedy of Israel’s ongoing occupation and siege. His recognition with the Nizar Banat Award highlights his role as a steadfast defender of Palestinian rights, risking his life to protect the vulnerable. The global call for his immediate release grows louder, with activists urging the United States, Israel’s key ally, to pressure for an end to his torture and the restoration of Gaza’s healthcare system.

“We demand justice for Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya,” said Elias, his son. “My father’s only crime is his dedication to saving lives. The world must not stay silent while Israel destroys our healers and our hope.” (ILKHA)