A human rights organization has revealed that the Israeli occupation army has issued a military order transferring Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, to detention under the so-called “Unlawful Combatant” law.
According to the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, the commander of Israel’s southern region, Yaron Finkelman, issued this order, effectively bypassing a standard legal trial and subjecting Abu Safiya to indefinite military detention.
The organization stated that Ashkelon Military Court and Abu Safiya’s legal representative from Al-Mezan were informed of the decision on the same day as his detention extension hearing, held on February 13.
Torture and Violations of Due Process
A lawyer from Al-Mezan visited Abu Safiya on February 11 at Ofer Prison, where he reported that the doctor had been subjected to severe torture and ill-treatment.
The human rights center emphasized that the “Unlawful Combatant” law gravely undermines fair trial guarantees, as it denies detainees the right to know the charges against them or challenge the evidence used to justify their arrest—effectively stripping them of any meaningful legal defense.
Detainees held under this law are subject to an initial 45-day detention period, after which the Beersheba District Court reviews and can extend the imprisonment every six months indefinitely.
Arbitrary and Retaliatory Detention
Al-Mezan condemned Abu Safiya’s designation as an “Unlawful Combatant” as a dangerous and illegal act of retaliation, stating that this measure demonstrates the prosecution’s failure to present any evidence to justify his arrest.
The organization warned that targeting civilians—especially medical professionals—through torture, arbitrary detention, and inhumane treatment is a systematic policy of the Israeli occupation. It emphasized that, despite the lack of any criminal charges against Dr. Abu Safiya, the occupation has chosen to deny him the most fundamental right to a fair trial, effectively turning him into a hostage.
International Calls for Action
Al-Mezan has called on the international community and UN bodies to take urgent measures to secure Abu Safiya’s immediate release, along with all other detained medical and humanitarian personnel.
Family Testimony: Torture, Starvation, and Medical Neglect
On Tuesday, Abu Safiya’s family confirmed, following a lawyer’s visit, that he is enduring severe torture and starvation in Israeli prisons.
According to the family:
-
- He was placed in solitary confinement for 24 days.
-
- He suffers from chronic high blood pressure and heart muscle hypertrophy.
-
- He is only given one inadequate meal per day, and the food quality is extremely poor.
Regarding his legal status, the lawyer representing Abu Safiya revealed that his case file is completely clean, with no formal charges filed against him. He has denied all accusations due to the lack of any evidence.
The lawyer further indicated that there is a possibility of his release in the coming stages, given the prosecution’s failure to present any charges.
Abu Safiya has urged the international community to intervene for his release and the protection of all detained medical professionals.
A Heavy Personal Price
Amid Israel’s escalating genocide in Gaza, Dr. Abu Safiya has paid an unbearable personal price. He lost his son, Ibrahim, during the Israeli army’s assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital on October 26.
On November 24, he was injured in an Israeli airstrike on the hospital, yet he refused to leave his post, choosing instead to continue treating wounded patients.
From Physician to Prisoner
On December 28, 2024, the Gaza Ministry of Health announced that Abu Safiya had been arrested in northern Gaza.
Just one day before, Israeli forces had stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, setting fire to parts of the facility and forcing it out of service. During the raid, over 350 people were arrested, including Dr. Abu Safiya.
His image—standing in his white medical coat amidst the destruction—sparked international outrage.
The case of Dr. Abu Safiya is yet another stark reminder of Israel’s systematic targeting of healthcare workers in its ongoing war on Gaza.
