Dr Abu Safiya, Palestine

My name is Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. I am a Palestinian pediatrician and the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. I dedicated my life to caring for children and patients, even as Gaza's healthcare system came under devastating pressure and hospitals struggled to continue functioning.

On 27 December 2024, I was arrested by Israeli authorities during an operation at Kamal Adwan Hospital. I have remained detained ever since. My arrest and continued detention have raised grave concerns among human rights and medical organisations.

I became known for speaking publicly about the conditions facing patients and healthcare workers in northern Gaza and for continuing my work at Kamal Adwan Hospital under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. But my case is not isolated. It reflects the wider risks faced by Palestinian healthcare workers who have continued providing medical care amid attacks on hospitals, displacement, detention and the destruction of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure.

I have been subjected to severe physical abuse and other ill-treatment. My health has reportedly deteriorated dramatically, raising serious concerns for my life and my need for urgent medical care.

I am a doctor. My duty has always been to protect life and care for my patients. Today, I need the world's solidarity.

I am asking you to stand as my witness and demand my immediate and unconditional release. Until I am free and all other health workers in Palestine are, call for our protection from torture and other ill-treatment, access to adequate and independent medical care, and access to independent monitoring of our detention.

No healthcare worker should be punished for treating patients. Stand with me, and with all healthcare workers in Gaza who continue to provide care under unimaginable circumstances.

Israel is currently rated “repressed” in civic space according to the CIVICUS Monitor. While Palestine is rated “closed”.