Israel has confirmed it is holding Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, after earlier denying knowledge of his detention. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said he was being investigated for suspected ties to Hamas and alleged “terrorist” activities.
Abu Safiya was arrested during a raid on the hospital last Friday, which forced patients and medical staff to leave. The IDF claimed the facility was a “Hamas terrorist stronghold”. However, his family believes he is being held at Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel, where Israeli forces have taken many detainees from Gaza for interrogation.
Amnesty International has expressed concern over Abu Safiya’s detention, saying Israel had detained hundreds of Palestinian healthcare workers without charge or trial. The organization claims these workers were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment.
The Israeli government denies mistreating detainees, stating they are kept “carefully and appropriately”. Whistleblowers have reported harsh conditions for detainees at Sde Teiman military base, which Israel disputes.
Dr Abu Safiya’s detention has sparked increased condemnation of Israeli attacks on Gaza’s healthcare facilities. The UN Human Rights Office has warned that such actions have pushed the territory’s healthcare system to “the brink of total collapse” and raised serious concerns about war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj30deeggd7o