Latest news with #AbuSafiya
Middle East Eye
4 days ago
- Health
- Middle East Eye
Gaza doctor Abu Safiya given 'two spoonfuls of rice a day' in Israeli jail
A lawyer representing Palestinian Dr Hussam Abu Safiya has raised concerns over his deteriorating health and routine torture in Israeli detention, where inmates are given only two spoonfuls of rice a day. In an interview with Arab48, publiched Thursday, lawyer Gheed Kassem said that the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, located north of the Gaza Strip, had faced severe physical assault that resulted in bruising to his head, neck, rib cage, and back. When Dr Abu Safiya requested medical assistance for complications stemming from the beatings, including an irregular heartbeat, his request was denied. Medical neglect and abuse in Israeli-run prisons have been well-documented, with such practices reportedly intensifying since the events of 7 October 2023. In early May, the Palestinian Prisoners' Affairs Commission said that sick Palestinian detainees faced "deliberate and systematic medical neglect," alongside hunger and torture negatively affecting their health conditions. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The statement came after the death of 60-year-old prisoner Mohyee al-Din Fahmi Najem, who suffered from chronic illnesses and was denied proper medical treatment during his detention. Abu Safya, who remains in solitary confinement at the Ofer military prison - which houses 450 detainees from the Gaza Strip - weighs no more than 60 kilograms, according to his lawyer. She said that since his detention in late December, the senior paediatrician and neonatologist had lost 40 kilograms, describing his body as "emaciated." Additionally, Dr Abu Safiya is held in an underground cell that is completely isolated and receives no natural light. "He knows nothing about the outside world, and he is still wearing winter clothes," Kassem explained. "Prisoners inside Ofer prison endure incredibly harsh and catastrophic conditions," she added. The lawyer described how Palestinians imprisoned there are allowed only two spoonfuls of rice a day, while both sugar and salt are completely banned "to prevent any rise in the happiness hormone, even a small one, from eating sugar". "This is in addition to the frequent cell raids, the torture, and the constant searches that prisoners are subjected to." The most recent case of torture and medical neglect in Israeli detention involves the death of 53-year-old Samir al-Rifai from Jenin. According to the Palestinian Prisoners' Affairs Commission, Rifai died seven days after his arrest, raising the death toll of Palestinian prisoners who have died under Israeli detention since the beginning of the war on Gaza to 74. The father of five had reportedly suffered from heart issues and needed intensive medical care. Sources suggest that his death resulted from ill-treatment and the severe conditions in prison, though no official reports have been released. Lack of rights Abu Safiya has been categorised as an "unlawful combatant" by Israeli authorities, despite him being a civilian doctor. This classification means there is no formal indictment against him. Iron bars, electric shocks, dogs and cigarette burns: How Palestinians are tortured in Israeli detention Read More » "The designation of an unlawful combatant renders a prisoner without rights," Kassem said. "Israeli law strips those with this designation of their natural human rights inside prisons." The Kassem added that prison authorities also create "successive obstacles for lawyers," with each visit needing to be scheduled four months in advance. Even then, it could be cancelled. Additionally, legal representatives are often left waiting for long stretches of time, and when their clients are finally brought in for the visit, they are often assaulted on the way as they are crawling on the ground in handcuffs. "The interview is conducted under a microscope, under the eyes and ears of the jailers. If the jailers feel that the visit has boosted the prisoner's morale, they assault him in revenge," she said. Detainees are also subjected to constant psychological torture, Kassem added, including being exposed to graphic images and depressing news as well as being told false information about the death of loved ones. "The first question every prisoner asks me is about their families and whether they are still alive," she said.
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Al Jazeera 360 to broadcast ‘The Last Doctor Standing': A documentary on Dr Abu Safiya
Tribune News Network Doha Al Jazeera 360 is set to broadcast the compelling documentary 'The Last Doctor Standing', which follows the extraordinary resilience of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, who defied threats and intimidation to serve war victims. The 45-minute film chronicles the harrowing journey of Dr Abu Safiya and his dedicated medical team, who endured over 16 months of relentless pressure amidst Israeli occupation forces' attempts to evacuate and destroy the hospital. The film highlights how Dr Abu Safiya's determination to keep the hospital operational was a crucial factor for the over 450,000 Palestinians remaining in northern Gaza. Throughout the 16 months, he resisted forced displacement by the Israeli occupation forces. It further showcases how his service towards the community came at a significant personal cost, losing most of his medical team, the tragic killing of his son Ibrahim and the shooting of his second son, Idris and the destruction of his family home. According to his lawyers, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya is in critical condition after being beaten in the notorious Ofer prison. Since December, he has reportedly lost nearly half of his body weight due to forced starvation. Despite Dr Abu Safiya holding foreign citizenship that could have granted him safe passage out of Gaza, the film clearly portrays his choice to remain and serve his people, demonstrating his profound commitment to the profession. The culmination of the film shows his courageous stance ultimately led to his detention by Israeli occupation forces in December 2024. The hospital he fought to protect was later set on fire, rendering it out of service. Watch the documentary 'The Last Doctor Standing' without restrictions on Al Jazeera 360 on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 21:00 Doha time and on the Al Jazeera 360 app on all smart screens and other devices.
Middle East Eye
15-07-2025
- Health
- Middle East Eye
Dr Hussam Abu Safiya is in critical condition following torture and starvation in Israeli prison
Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, a paeditrican and former director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza who was detained by Israel, is in critical condiiton, Middle East Monitor reported on Monday. Since he was detained by Israeli forces without charge in December and put into the notorious Ofer prison in Israel, he has lost nearly half of his body weight his lawyer Ghaid Ghanem Qassem said due to forced starvation. He was severely beaten on 24 June, his lawyer said, and sustained injuries to his rib cage, face, head, and neck. Dr Abu Safiya is currently suffering from high blood pressure and a heart condition but has been denied medication or access to specialist medical care by Israeli prison authorities. Qassem said he was being held in solitary confinement in an underground cell, where the sun does not enter, as well as enduring torture. Qassem added that glasses that were delivered to Dr Abu Safiya were deliberately broken. Chairman of the Euro-Med human rights monitor Ramy Abdu visited Dr Abu Safiya on 9 July, and reported that he was being held in harrowing conditions. The Israeli military has disproportionately targeted health workers since its war began.
Jordan News
14-07-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
360 Medical Staff Detained in Gaza Since Start of Aggression - Jordan News
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that 360 medical personnel have been detained since the beginning of the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, including experienced doctors and specialists whose absence has deprived patients and the injured of vital medical care. اضافة اعلان In a statement released today, the ministry affirmed that the Israeli occupation imposes strict restrictions on prisoners in general and medical staff detainees in particular, who endure harsh and tragic conditions in Israeli detention centers. The ministry added that the lawyer of detainee Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, based on his latest visit, described the brutal treatment he has suffered during interrogations, including continuous beatings, deteriorating health, and denial of medical treatment. Dr. Abu Safiya, detained since December 27, has reportedly lost 40 kilograms of weight and suffers from high blood pressure and cardiac muscle weakness. The ministry called on relevant international bodies to urgently intervene, criminalize the occupation's practices against detained medical personnel, and pressure for their immediate release.
Jordan News
14-07-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
Imprisoned Doctor 'Abu Safiya' Held in Underground Cell - Jordan News
Imprisoned Doctor 'Abu Safiya' Held in Underground Cell Lawyer Ghaid Ghanem Qasim stated that imprisoned doctor Hussam Abu Safiya is suffering from harsh detention conditions, resulting in a weight loss of 40 kilograms, noting that he has been severely beaten and suffers from health problems. اضافة اعلان The lawyer said after visiting him a few days ago that 'Abu Safiya' lost 40 kilograms of his weight, pointing out that he used to weigh 100 kilograms but now weighs no more than 60. The lawyer also reported that Abu Safiya was subjected to severe beatings in the chest, face, head, and neck areas for about 30 minutes, while the occupation authorities refused to provide him with medication, treatment, or allow a specialist doctor to examine him. She indicated that he suffers from irregular heartbeat and still wears winter clothes despite the harsh detention conditions, including starvation, torture, and isolation. She confirmed that the imprisoned doctor 'Abu Safiya' is held in an underground cell that does not receive sunlight. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya is a pediatrician from Jabalia Camp, Gaza, born in 1973. He worked as director of Kamal Adwan Hospital during the brutal Israeli bombing of northern Gaza. He lost his son Ibrahim in a direct attack at the hospital entrance and was injured by drone shrapnel, yet he continued treating children despite all these circumstances. He was arrested by occupation forces in December 2024 at the hospital gate and transferred to Sde Teyman prison, where he was subjected to brutal torture, beatings, electric shocks, food and sleep deprivation, suffered four broken ribs, and significant weight loss. His administrative detention was extended in March 2025 for six months under the 'Illegal Combatant Law' without trial. International organizations have demanded his immediate release due to the danger to his life. Additional Report: A young Palestinian was shot by Israeli occupation forces early Monday near the apartheid wall adjacent to the town of Al-Ram, north of occupied Jerusalem. Local sources said the injured youth arrived at Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, noting that he is from villages in Salfit and was shot with live bullets in the foot. Citizens face shooting, pursuit, and arrest attempts while trying to reach their workplaces inside the occupied territories and crossing occupation checkpoints and the apartheid wall. (Agencies)
