UN Panel Demands Release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya from Israeli Custody

Dr. Abu Safiya has been held without charge since his capture in December 2024. Recent reports from his legal counsel, Nasser Odeh, indicate a drastic deterioration in the physician’s condition following his transfer to the Rakefet interrogation facility at Nitzan Prison. Odeh noted that his client suffered from visible injuries and repeated loss of consciousness, fueling fears that the doctor’s life is in immediate danger.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry labeled the treatment of medical personnel as a flagrant violation of international law. The panel pointed to a consistent pattern of conduct by Israeli forces, including the detention of at least 13 other senior doctors from Gaza. According to the UN Human Rights Office, roughly 9,300 Palestinians remain in Israeli custody, many without formal charges or access to trial, with at least 91 deaths recorded in detention since October 2023.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) has challenged the state's claims regarding the doctor’s health, arguing that authorities have failed to provide transparency regarding his medical status or the necessity of his ongoing detention. While the state has asked the High Court to dismiss petitions for the release of these medical professionals, the UN commission continues to emphasize that Israel must allow for independent medical care and ensure legal accountability for command responsibility. The commission reiterated its commitment to investigating these reports of torture and extermination as it provides findings to international judicial authorities.