Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has been transferred to solitary confinement by Israeli prison authorities following his appeal against the extension of his detention, according to his legal team.

Lawyer Nasser Odeh revealed that Abu Safiya was moved from the Negev detention facility to Nafha Prison, where he is being held in isolation under what the defense describes as harsh and punitive conditions. The lawyer stated that the transfer came shortly after Abu Safiya challenged the continuation of his detention, which has persisted for nearly a year and a half without a criminal conviction.

According to Odeh, Israeli intelligence officers and prison authorities have subjected the prominent Palestinian physician to repeated threats and pressure campaigns in recent months. He said these measures were intended to prevent Abu Safiya from speaking publicly about conditions inside Israeli prisons and the treatment of Palestinian detainees.

The lawyer explained that solitary confinement is being used to isolate Abu Safiya from fellow prisoners, legal representatives, and the outside world. He noted that defense lawyers have repeatedly faced restrictions and denials when attempting to visit their client, despite legal requests and the absence of clear justification for such measures.

Abu Safiya's legal team has expressed growing concern about his health, stating that he has endured prolonged medical neglect while being denied adequate treatment and regular access to legal counsel.

The Palestinian doctor remains imprisoned under Israel's controversial "Unlawful Combatant Law," a legal framework that allows detention without traditional criminal proceedings. His lawyers argue that no evidence has been presented to substantiate the allegations against him and that his continued imprisonment violates fundamental legal protections guaranteed under international law.

Israeli forces arrested Abu Safiya on December 27, 2024, during a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. Since then, his detention has been repeatedly renewed, including a six-month extension issued in October 2025.

His case drew international attention in February 2025 when Israeli media aired footage showing the physician restrained inside prison. The images sparked criticism from human rights advocates and medical organizations, who questioned the treatment of a healthcare professional detained during wartime.

Odeh said Abu Safiya's detention is part of a broader pattern affecting Palestinian medical personnel during the war on Gaza. According to the lawyer, approximately 14 Palestinian doctors have been arrested from hospitals since the conflict began, raising concerns about what rights groups describe as systematic pressure on Gaza's healthcare infrastructure and medical workforce.

The defense team has filed an appeal before the Israeli Supreme Court seeking Abu Safiya's immediate release. Lawyers argue that his detention violates international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which provide special protections for medical personnel operating in conflict zones.

Human rights advocates have voiced concern over Abu Safiya's physical and psychological well-being, particularly in light of reports of solitary confinement, restricted legal access, and ongoing medical neglect.

According to Palestinian sources, Abu Safiya is among 737 healthcare workers arrested by Israel since the beginning of the war on Gaza. The detainees reportedly include doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other medical staff who were working to provide care amid the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.

As legal proceedings continue, Palestinian organizations and rights advocates are calling for increased international scrutiny of the treatment of detained medical personnel and for urgent action to secure the release of healthcare workers held in Israeli prisons. (ILKHA)