Lawyer says detained Gaza doctor was severely beaten in Israeli jail
Israeli Detention of Gaza Doctor Sparks Concerns Over Abuse
Lawyer says detained Gaza doctor was severely - Nasser Odeh, the legal representative of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, described his client as unrecognizable after a recent visit. The Palestinian doctor, held in Israeli custody without formal charges for more than 18 months, expressed concerns about his wellbeing to the BBC.
During a visit to the interrogation facility Rakefet last Thursday, Odeh reported that Abu Safiya had endured severe violence, leaving him with bruises across his face, neck, and ears. "He had moments of losing consciousness multiple times," Odeh stated. "He told us he was beaten heavily inside the prison, particularly on the day of the visit."
"I'm living in hell. The mind can't imagine what I go through every day. I think someone has decided to kill me," Abu Safiya reportedly said to his lawyer.
Abu Safiya, who previously directed Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, was detained in December 2024 by Israeli forces. The military claimed the facility was a "Hamas terrorist stronghold" and ordered patients and staff to evacuate. The World Health Organization urged an end to attacks on Gaza hospitals at the time.
According to Odeh, the doctor was assaulted by multiple guards after an appeal against his detention at Jerusalem’s Supreme Court. "More than five prison guards hit him with their fists, batons, and hammers," he explained. "He received no medical care during this time."
The Israel Prison Service denied the allegations, calling them false. In a statement, it claimed all detainees are treated in accordance with legal guidelines and received appropriate medical attention. The agency also rejected claims of torture, starvation, or denial of care.
Israel’s Supreme Court has mandated a response to a petition seeking the release of Abu Safiya and 13 other Palestinian doctors detained without charge. Odeh, however, remains hopeful, stating, "His place is outside prison, his place is in the hospital." He struggled to repeat the final words Abu Safiya whispered: "Thank you Nasser, but I think it will be the last time we will meet."
Background and Legal Context
Abu Safiya held the rank of colonel in Gaza’s Hamas-run interior ministry, working in the health department. He provided medical care to security personnel and their families. Despite this, medical staff and international aid groups who collaborated with him deny any ties to Hamas.
Detainees are held under the Unlawful Combatants Law, which allows indefinite detention without charge for those suspected of security threats. The law has drawn criticism for its broad application. In November 2025, the UN Committee against Torture raised alarms about "a de facto state policy of organized and widespread torture" in Israeli prisons.
Global Reactions to Detention Practices
Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) noted that at least 94 Palestinian detainees had died in Israeli custody in under two years. The UN and PHRI have both highlighted systemic issues in the treatment of prisoners, though the Israel Prison Service maintains its practices are lawful.
Abu Safiya’s case has drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by Palestinian detainees. His condition, described as "exhausted and unable to breathe," underscores the severity of the situation. The lawyer emphasized the psychological toll, adding that Abu Safiya’s state was "difficult in every aspect—physical, mental, and emotional."