On the one-year anniversary of the abduction of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, advocates are urging Israeli authorities to release him and the numerous other health workers still imprisoned. Dr. Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, was taken by the Israeli military on December 27, 2024, during a raid that targeted the hospital, which was then the last major functioning medical facility in northern Gaza.
“Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya was abducted during a horrific raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital,” stated Dr. Yipeng Ge, a member of the organization Doctors Against Genocide, in a social media post on Friday. The call for his release echoes sentiments from other activists, including Petra Schurenhofer, who emphasized the ongoing suffering of Dr. Abu Safiya and the need for public awareness. “It’s been a year since Israel abducted and illegally detained Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. He has been subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment,” Schurenhofer added.
Dr. Abu Safiya’s abduction occurred amidst a yearlong siege and military operations by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), who alleged, without evidence, that the hospital functioned as a Hamas command center. The raid led to significant casualties, including the death of Dr. Abu Safiya’s 15-year-old son, who was killed in a drone strike during a previous attack on the hospital.
Following his abduction, Dr. Abu Safiya was initially held at Sde Teiman Prison, notorious for reports of torture and abuse. He later transferred to Ofer Prison in the West Bank. Dr. Abu Safiya has claimed he endured severe mistreatment, including beatings and electric shocks, which resulted in significant health deterioration, including broken ribs and severe weight loss, amid allegations of inadequate medical care. Israeli authorities have denied these claims, despite numerous reports documenting the abuse of medical personnel by Israeli forces.
According to Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, the situation for health workers in Gaza has reached a critical point. “Since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have conducted hundreds of attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in the destruction of nearly all hospitals in Gaza,” she stated. The ongoing conflict has led to over 1,500 Palestinian health workers losing their lives, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
In light of these events, an independent United Nations commission reported that Israel has been engaged in a systematic campaign to destroy Gaza’s healthcare system. The findings suggest that such actions may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are currently facing allegations of these grave offenses at the International Criminal Court.
The plight of Dr. Abu Safiya has struck a personal note across the globe. His wife, Albina Abu Safiya, recently appealed for action, stating, “Save my husband before it is too late. His only ‘crime’ was saving the wounded and tending to the wounds of children.” Her plea reflects the broader humanitarian concerns surrounding those imprisoned during the ongoing conflict.
As international attention focuses on the situation, advocacy groups such as CODEPINK have called for a concerted effort to secure the release of Dr. Abu Safiya and the over 360 health workers reportedly detained since the escalation of violence in October 2023. The movement to “Free Hussam Abu Safiya. Free them all” resonates strongly among supporters who continue to call for justice and accountability.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has raised significant concerns worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian access and the protection of medical personnel in conflict zones. As the situation develops, the future of Dr. Abu Safiya and many others remains uncertain, prompting widespread calls for their release and the restoration of healthcare services in the region.
