The Israeli Supreme Court has once again ruled to continue the detention of Palestinian doctor Hussam Ebu Safiye, who serves as the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.
Ebu Safiye is being held without any criminal charges under Israel's "Illegal Combatants Law." Following the decision, it was reported that the doctor is kept in solitary confinement at Nafha Prison under harsh conditions and is unable to access necessary medical care.
Detention Exceeding 500 Days
The Palestinian doctor has reportedly been held without charges for more than 500 days. Ebu Safiye was detained by the Israeli military in Gaza in late 2024 and has been imprisoned since then.
Before the court ruling, Ebu Safiye requested immediate release via a video connection. His family stated that the doctor, who appeared noticeably weakened in the footage, showed signs of torture.
Did Not Leave the Hospital
Despite Israeli evacuation orders, Ebu Safiye reportedly did not leave the hospital where he worked and continued to serve his patients. Before his arrest, he was also known for video statements calling for an end to attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza.
It was also reported that the doctor organized a funeral procession at the hospital gate for his son Ibrahim, who was killed in an Israeli drone strike.
Reactions
The Palestinian Prisoners Defense Center condemned the court's decision, describing it as a continuation of detention without any charges or indictment.
The center held Israeli authorities fully responsible for the doctor's life and safety. The statement also called for urgent medical assistance and an end to arbitrary arrests of health and humanitarian workers.
The center urged the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Health Organization, and United Nations special rapporteurs to intervene and pressure Israel.
Naji Abbas, speaking on behalf of Physicians for Human Rights Israel, described Ebu Safiye's detention as a serious moral and legal failure.
Abbas stated that the court approved the indefinite detention of a hospital director held in solitary confinement without proper medical treatment.
