Palestinian sources reported early Wednesday morning that the mother of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, has succumbed to a heart attack, following the news of her son's detention by Israeli forces.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed on December 28 the detention of Dr. Abu Safiyya, alongside several staff members of Kamal Adwan Hospital, located in northern Gaza.

"Israeli forces detained dozens of Kamal Adwan Hospital staff, including the director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyya, and transferred them to a detention center for questioning," the ministry said in a statement.

The Israeli occupation army confirmed that Dr. Abu Safiyya is in custody, alleging his involvement in "terrorist activities." The military stated that he is currently undergoing interrogation by Israeli security forces.

The detention coincided with a military operation that rendered Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last major healthcare facility in northern Gaza, non-operational. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Friday that the hospital is no longer able to provide services, leaving northern Gaza without critical healthcare infrastructure.

The loss of Kamal Adwan Hospital has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where medical facilities are struggling to function under continuous pressure. Dr. Abu Safiyya’s detention has drawn condemnation from Palestinian health officials and raised concerns among international organizations about the treatment of healthcare workers in conflict zones.

As Gaza grapples with the consequences of escalating violence and deteriorating living conditions, the death of Dr. Abu Safiyya’s mother underscores the human toll of the ongoing conflict. Calls for the protection of medical personnel and the restoration of healthcare services in Gaza continue to grow amid the crisis. (ILKHA)