JERUSALEM
Israel’s Supreme Court rejected an appeal seeking the release of a prominent Palestinian doctor who has been held without formal charges since late 2024 after being detained in Gaza. The case involves Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, who is among several Palestinian medical workers being held in Israel under administrative detention without trial for more than a year. The court’s decision was reportedly based on confidential information that was not shared with the doctor or his legal representative, according to his lawyer and rights groups.
Abu Safiya’s lawyer said the ruling highlights concerns about prolonged detention without transparent evidence being presented in open court. Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about fairness and due process in such cases. The Israeli prison service has denied allegations that the doctor has been mistreated. However, rights groups claim he has faced poor conditions, including limited food access and periods of solitary confinement.
Reports also state that Abu Safiya appeared recently in a court hearing via video link, where he appeared physically weaker than before. The Israeli military has accused him of having links to the Palestinian group Hamas, but no public evidence has been provided. Gaza health authorities and Hamas have denied the allegation.
Abu Safiya has been widely noted for his work during the conflict, including reports that he continued treating newborn babies in a hospital even during evacuation orders in 2023. The case continues to draw attention amid broader debates over detention practices, legal transparency, and humanitarian conditions affecting medical workers in conflict zones.
