Palestinian doctor Hüsam Ebu Sefiyye, detained by the Israeli army in Gaza in late 2024, appeared via video link at the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem on June 10, 2026. The hearing, held while he remains in custody, was one of the rare moments he was seen in public.
During the hearing, Ebu Sefiyye's face and abdominal area showed noticeable weight loss. The court allowed the press into the courtroom for a short time, after which journalists were removed.
Detention and health allegations
The Israel-based organization Physicians for Human Rights states that Ebu Sefiyye has been held for over 500 days without any charges. The group also maintains that the doctor has lacked adequate food in prison and has been subjected to ill-treatment.
Ebu Sefiyye's brother Muafak said in April that, based on information conveyed to the family through a lawyer, the doctor had lost 40 kilograms in prison, suffered four broken ribs, and experienced other health problems. The Israeli Prison Service denied these allegations.
Court appeal
The Supreme Court considered an appeal against the detention filed by Ebu Sefiyye's lawyer, Nasser Odeh. A ruling is expected to be announced later on Wednesday.
After the hearing, Odeh said his client was brought to court handcuffed and in chains and is being held in solitary confinement. He also reported that Ebu Sefiyye is receiving treatment, suffers from neck and back pain, and that this could be linked to an assault during his arrest or to medication given for a chronic illness.
The lawyer added that the doctor's glasses were also confiscated, leading to vision problems, and that he has symptoms of a skin condition said to be common among Palestinians in prison. The Israeli Prison Service did not immediately respond to these questions about prison conditions.
Healthcare workers taken from Gaza
According to Physicians for Human Rights, Ebu Sefiyye is among 14 Palestinian doctors who were detained by the Israeli army in Gaza and have been held for over a year without charges. In April, the organization called for their release, raising allegations of inadequate healthcare, food, and inhuman treatment.
At that time, the Israeli Prison Service also denied all allegations of mistreatment of the doctors. According to the organization's data, the number of Palestinian healthcare workers held by Israel has approached 400 during the ongoing attacks in Gaza.
Ebu Sefiyye was taken from Kamal Advan Hospital in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya. The Israeli army accuses him of being a Hamas member, but has presented no public, verifiable evidence to confirm this claim. The Gaza Health Ministry and Hamas reject the accusation.
The case is being closely watched because of the war's impact on Gaza's health system and the situation of detained healthcare workers. The court's ruling will determine the course of the legal process regarding Ebu Sefiyye's detention.
