FREE PALESTINIAN PEDIATRICIAN AND HOSPITAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a pediatrician and director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, was arbitrarily detained last December when Israeli forces raided his hospital — taking him, other medical staff, and even patients.

A leading voice for Gaza’s decimated healthcare system, Dr. Abu Safiya was seized in the middle of his workday while caring for babies and children.

Though his name appears on the recently approved list of prisoners slated for release under the new ceasefire deal, he remains in Israeli detention. His continued detention is unconscionable.

Take urgent action now: tell Israeli authorities to immediately release him.

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Yifat

Tomer-Yerushalmi

Military Advocate General Brig

Dear Brig. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi,
cc: Secretary Rubio

I am writing to you to call for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a pediatrician and the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Occupied Gaza Strip, who was arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared by Israeli forces on December 27, 2024, along with other hospital staff and patients, following a deadly raid on the hospital which put it out of service.

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya is one of the most prominent voices of Gaza's decimated healthcare sector. Before being detained, he provided comprehensive and reliable information about the healthcare situation in the North Gaza governorate, particularly since Israeli forces laid a near-total siege to the area. He continued to bear witness and treat children, despite the killing of his son last year.

Testimonies collected by Amnesty International and other human rights groups reveal a dreadful reality inside Israeli prisons and detention centers, where Palestinian detainees – including health workers – face systematic torture and other ill-treatment, and are denied their right to a fair trial and due process, along with access to adequate food and medical care. In light of this, and the ongoing failure of Israeli authorities to grant independent monitors access to detention centres, I am extremely concerned for the life and wellbeing of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya.

By arresting him arbitrarily, Israeli forces committed serious violations of international law.

I urge you to secure the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and all other Palestinians, including health workers, who are arbitrarily detained by Israeli authorities. He must be granted access to adequate medical care while in detention.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

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