A prominent Palestinian doctor detained by Israeli authorities since late 2024 has appeared before Israel's Supreme Court via video link, with his family and legal representatives claiming he bears visible signs of torture and severe mistreatment.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, appeared at a court hearing in Jerusalem on Wednesday, where he called for his immediate release after spending more than 500 days in detention without formal charges.
According to his lawyer, Nasser Abu Odeh, Abu Safia remains in solitary confinement at Nafha Prison and appeared in court while handcuffed and shackled. The lawyer said the court declined requests to remove the restraints during the hearing.
“My detention is unjust and arbitrary, and I demand my immediate release,” Abu Safia told the court. He stressed that he is a pediatrician whose work has been dedicated to providing medical care to patients, wounded civilians, and vulnerable people in Gaza.
Family members said they were shocked by his appearance during the hearing. His son, Ilyas Abu Safia, stated that the family observed clear signs of physical suffering, exhaustion, and possible torture.
The lawyer further alleged that Abu Safia has been denied essential medical treatment and medication for chronic health conditions. He reportedly suffers from severe neck and back pain following an alleged assault in custody and is experiencing vision problems after prison authorities confiscated his glasses.
Abu Odeh also reported signs of skin disease on the doctor's hands, claiming that similar conditions have affected other Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons due to poor detention conditions and inadequate healthcare.
Israeli forces detained Abu Safia on December 27, 2024, during a military raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. Before his arrest, he had gained international attention for refusing to leave the hospital despite evacuation orders and for publicly appealing for protection of Gaza’s healthcare facilities during the conflict.
His detention has been carried out under Israel's Unlawful Combatant Law, legislation that permits extended detention without formal charges. The Israeli Supreme Court postponed a decision on whether his detention would continue, with a ruling expected in the coming days.
The case has drawn widespread international concern. The United Nations, the World Health Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and several human rights organizations have called for Abu Safia’s immediate release and raised concerns about reports of abuse and medical neglect.
The renewed focus on Abu Safia’s detention comes amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025. Palestinian officials reported additional casualties on Thursday following Israeli shelling and drone strikes in different parts of the Gaza Strip.
Human rights groups continue to monitor the case closely as calls grow for an independent investigation into the doctor's treatment while in custody. :::
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