Israeli rights group calls for independent medical evaluation of detained Gaza hospital director

According to the Saudi Gazette, an Israeli rights group has petitioned an administrative court to demand that the Israel Prison Service grant an independent physician access to Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. Dr. Abu Safiya has been held in Israeli custody since his arrest during a military raid on the hospital on December 27, 2024, and is currently being detained without formal charges or trial.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) stated that the legal action was prompted by a significant decline in the director's health. The petition seeks to ensure that he receives a medical evaluation by a doctor independent of the prison system. The move comes as international attention remains focused on the status of medical personnel detained during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Simultaneously, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has intensified its advocacy, calling on members of the U.S. Congress to pressure Israeli authorities for Dr. Abu Safiya’s immediate release. CAIR cited reports alleging that the director sustained broken ribs and other injuries due to mistreatment while in custody. The situation highlights the broader concerns raised by humanitarian organizations regarding the treatment of healthcare workers and the status of medical facilities in the conflict zone.