Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safia is reportedly enduring ongoing torture and abuse while in Israeli detention, according to his lawyer, Nasser Odeh. Abu Safia, who has been held for nearly two years since his capture by the Israeli military in Gaza in December 2024, continues to face physical assaults, sleep deprivation, and threats aimed at preventing him from reporting his conditions.

Abu Safia was apprehended by Israeli forces at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza after allegedly defying orders to evacuate the facility, which was then one of the few remaining operational hospitals. His detention occurs amidst widespread destruction of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure and the killing of hundreds of medical personnel by Israeli forces.

His lawyer, Nasser Odeh, visited Abu Safia at the Rakefet detention facility within Nitzan Prison on August 30. According to a statement from Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), Abu Safia reported that prison guards continue to assault him with punches, kicks, and batons, targeting various parts of his body, including sensitive areas. He is also allegedly subjected to deliberate sleep deprivation through constant noise from loudspeakers throughout the night.

The ongoing reports of abuse have fueled calls for Abu Safia's release from rights groups and his family. In July, a United Nations inquiry commission stated that Abu Safia faced "continued and severe abuse." Earlier, the director general of Gaza's Ministry of Health had issued an urgent appeal to "save" the jailed doctor's life, highlighting his deteriorating condition.

Human rights organizations and Abu Safia's family have long voiced concerns, noting that the doctor exhibits signs consistent with regular torture. He has reportedly been held in solitary confinement in the underground Rakefet facility, where he allegedly experiences daily violence. His lawyer also stated that Abu Safia has been threatened by guards against disclosing the details of his mistreatment.

Abu Safia's detention and alleged mistreatment have drawn international attention. Numerous rights groups and UN bodies have repeatedly called for his release, citing concerns over his well-being and the legality of his prolonged detention without charge. The circumstances of his capture and continued imprisonment remain a focal point for advocates of human rights in the Palestinian territories.

Despite international pressure and reports from human rights organizations, Israel has not publicly detailed the specific charges against Abu Safia or provided a clear justification for his continued detention. The lack of transparency surrounding his case has led to further concerns among his supporters and the international community.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) has been actively documenting Abu Safia's case and advocating for his release, emphasizing the ethical obligations to protect medical professionals and uphold international humanitarian law.