UPDATE: As the one-year anniversary of the abduction of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya approaches, advocates are urgently demanding the release of health workers still detained by Israeli forces. Dr. Abu Safiya was taken from the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza on December 27, 2024, and the situation remains critical for him and over 360 health workers also imprisoned.
Activists are rallying support on social media, reiterating the horrific circumstances surrounding Dr. Abu Safiya’s abduction. “Free Hussam Abu Safiya. Free them all.” urged Dr. Yipeng Ge from Doctors Against Genocide. His call reflects growing frustration over the ongoing detention of medical personnel in Gaza amid unprecedented violence.
Dr. Abu Safiya, a 52-year-old physician, was seized during a raid by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), who unjustly labeled the hospital a Hamas command center. Tragically, this incident follows the death of his 15-year-old son during a previous Israeli drone strike on the hospital.
Since his capture, Dr. Abu Safiya has reportedly faced inhumane treatment in Sde Teiman prison and later Ofer Prison. Allegations of torture include beatings and electric shocks, alongside severe medical neglect. Yet, Israeli authorities deny these claims, raising concerns among international human rights organizations.
The plight of Dr. Abu Safiya has drawn attention from prominent figures, including Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories. Her work emphasizes the systemic abuse of medical professionals in Israeli custody, noting a troubling pattern of violence against health workers.
In a heart-wrenching appeal, Dr. Abu Safiya’s wife, Albina Abu Safiya, stated, “Save my husband before it is too late. His only ‘crime’ was saving the wounded and tending to the wounds of children.” This personal story underscores the human cost of the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for action.
The situation in Gaza has deteriorated drastically since the October 7, 2023 attacks, with nearly all hospitals damaged or destroyed. Reports indicate that over 1,500 Palestinian health workers have been killed, raising alarms about a potential humanitarian crisis.
As international scrutiny intensifies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant face allegations of war crimes, including murder and forced starvation, at the International Criminal Court. An ongoing genocide case, filed by South Africa, highlights the urgent need for accountability in Gaza.
With advocates calling for immediate action, the world watches closely as the anniversary of Dr. Abu Safiya’s abduction approaches. The urgent message remains: Free Hussam Abu Safiya and all detained health workers!
This developing story continues to unfold, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
