The life of Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, is in danger, according to his son and a human rights organization. Dr. Abu Safia has been held by Israeli authorities for over 555 days without charge and is reportedly suffering severe health consequences from alleged abuse in prison.

His son, Elyas Abu Safia, also a doctor, released a video appeal detailing his father's deteriorating condition. He stated that his father was transferred to solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison and showed signs of severe abuse, including difficulty breathing and speaking, with his face disfigured by marks of torture.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel corroborated these concerns, warning of immediate danger after the doctor's transfer to the Rakefet section of Nitzan prison. A lawyer who visited Dr. Abu Safia on July 2 documented severe injuries, signs of assault, and difficulty breathing, noting that guards brought him in shackled and surrounded by masked officers. The lawyer reported fresh bruises and injuries around his head, eyes, ears, and neck, making him difficult to recognize.

Dr. Abu Safia was arrested by Israeli forces on December 27, 2024, during intensified attacks on Gaza's healthcare system. This arrest occurred two months after another of his sons, Ibrahim, was killed in an Israeli drone strike near the hospital where he worked.

Elyas Abu Safia also criticized Arab and Muslim leaders, accusing them of abandoning his father and remaining silent, which he described as a "betrayal and a crime" and complicity in the suffering of detainees.

The circumstances of Dr. Abu Safia's detention and alleged mistreatment raise significant concerns about the treatment of Palestinians held by Israeli authorities, particularly those from the healthcare sector. The lack of formal charges and the reported severity of abuse highlight ongoing human rights issues.

Human rights groups have long documented allegations of abuse and mistreatment of detainees in Israeli prisons. The case of Dr. Abu Safia brings renewed attention to these issues, with his family and supporters calling for immediate intervention and his release.

Further details regarding the legal basis for his detention and the specific allegations of abuse remain to be clarified. The international community and human rights organizations are expected to monitor the situation closely.