The world is watching, and yet, silence persists. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a dedicated and compassionate Paediatrician, is enduring unimaginable suffering at the hands of Israeli occupation forces. As the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, Dr. Hussam Abu Saifya was arrested on 27 December 2024. Since then, it has now been 98 days of ongoing detention. During this time, he has endured brutal torture and a consistent denial of basic human rights. Furthermore, his case highlights the alarming situation for medical professionals in conflict zones, raising significant concerns about their safety and treatment under such circumstances.

Following his arrest, Dr. Hussam Abu Saifya’s life has been marked by brutal torture and a continuous denial of basic human rights This is not just the story of one man, this is the story of a healthcare system under attack, of families torn apart, and of a global community that cannot afford to stand idle. We must demand action now. Free Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya.

A Hero in Shackles

The release of a video showing Dr. Abu Safiya shackled and paraded through a prison has stunned the world. The footage was the first time Dr. Abu Safiya has been seen since his calculated arrest last December. The video shows him, exhausted and fatigued, led by masked and helmeted. A chilling image that speaks volumes about the cruelty and dehumanisation he has wrongfully endured.

His family condemned the broadcast, stating, “We reject any media outlet publishing the video without addressing the psychological terrorism involved and exposing the manipulation of his statements.” The sight of a man who spent his life healing others, now reduced to such suffering. It is a powerful call to action for those who fight for justice.

The Israeli occupation court upholds the detention order of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya as an “unlawful combatant” for a period of 6 months. Despite this, he has not been formally charged.

What Was His Crime?

So, what was his crime?

Being a Palestinian doctor who refused to abandon his patients and his hospital. Is that a crime? Refusing to leave the vulnerable to suffer, refusing to be silenced while his people are under attack? Dr. Abu Safiya’s commitment to his patients, his refusal to leave the besieged hospital, is now being punished with cruelty and injustice. The fact that he is being labelled an “unlawful combatant” for the simple act of fulfilling his oath to protect and heal is an affront to everything that humanity stands for. His only crime was his dedication to saving lives under impossible circumstances, and yet the world remains largely silent as he is subjected to unimaginable abuse.

The Brutality of His Detention

Targeting doctors, now that’s a war crime.

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya’s detention is marked by an unimaginable degree of physical and mental abuse. After being detained by Israeli forces during a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital, he was subjected to intense interrogations, beatings, and torture. Ghada Qassem, his lawyer, revealed that Dr. Abu Safiya has been denied medical treatment for chronic conditions, including heart disease and high blood pressure, further exacerbating his suffering. This is a deliberate attempt to break his spirit, a tactic that must be condemned.

Ghada Qassem, the lawyer of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, confirmed that he is suffering from a new eye injury due to being beaten during his interrogations. Dr. Abu Safiya underwent five interrogations during which he was subjected to continuous torture and beatings. He spent 25 days in solitary confinement in Ofer prison, where the longest interrogation lasted an excruciating 13 days.

The abuse doesn’t stop there. Dr. Abu Safiya was beaten with an electric stick in an effort to extract false confessions. Despite his deteriorating health, he was denied access to proper medical care. Instead of receiving the care he so desperately needs, he faces more suffering at the hands of those who should be held accountable for their actions.

A Symbol of Gaza’s Healthcare Crisis

Dr. Abu Safiya is not just an individual, he is a symbol of the decimated healthcare system in Gaza. Since October 2023, Gaza has been under siege, with hospitals bombed, medical workers killed, and healthcare infrastructure deliberately targeted. The IOF raids on hospitals, including Kamal Adwan, have left the civilian population without critical medical care. Dr. Abu Safiya’s plight is a reflection of the broader assault on the right to life, health, and dignity in Gaza. He is one of many healthcare professionals detained by Israeli occupation forces, and his release is essential to send a strong message against this ongoing injustice.

The Global Call for Action

The international community has not remained silent; human rights organisations and the United Nations have condemned Israel’s treatment of Dr. Abu Safiya and other Palestinian healthcare workers. However, it is clear that it is not enough. Immediate action is needed now. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya must be released immediately. His wrongful detention, torture, and denial of medical care are violations of international law and the very principles of human dignity. His case is a testament to the ongoing human rights violations in Gaza, and the world cannot afford to turn a blind eye.

Why We Must Stand for Dr. Abu Safiya

Dr. Abu Safiya’s story is not just about one man, it is about every Palestinian healthcare worker who has been detained, tortured, or killed. It is about the thousands of people who have had their access to medical care denied because hospitals in Gaza are routinely targeted. It is about the lives of those who depend on the courage and compassion of doctors like Dr. Abu Safiya. His continued suffering is an affront to the very principles of humanity. We cannot afford to stay silent. We must demand his release.

What You Can Do?

Now is the time to act. We must stand united in our call to free Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Reach out to your government representatives, demand that they hold Israel accountable for its actions, and pressure international organisations to take decisive steps to secure his release. Share his story on social media, write to your local news outlets, and ensure that the world does not forget Dr. Abu Safiya’s sacrifice. His voice may be silenced for now, but we must make sure it echoes across the globe, louder than ever before.

The World Must Act

Every day Dr. Abu Safiya remains imprisoned is another day that the world allows the violation of human rights to continue unchecked. His unjust detention, the denial of his basic rights, and the torture he has suffered must not go unchallenged. The release of Dr. Abu Safiya is about standing up for what is right. It is a call to the international community to demand justice, dignity, and freedom for those whose voices have been silenced.

Now is the time for the world to unite and say, in one resounding voice, Free Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya NOW. His release is not just about justice for him, it is a declaration that we will not allow the violation of human rights in Gaza or anywhere else in the world to continue. We must act now, before it is too late.