Israeli forces detain Gaza hospital director in controversial raid, sparking global outcry
By isabelle // 2025-01-03
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  • Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, was arrested by Israeli forces, sparking global condemnation.
  • Israeli forces raided the hospital, rendering it inoperable and forcibly removing all 350 individuals inside.
  • Dr. Abu Safiya is detained at Sde Teiman, a military prison with a history of human rights abuses.
  • Israeli authorities accuse him of Hamas ties but have provided no evidence, drawing widespread criticism.
  • International organizations demand his release, citing violations of humanitarian law and the broader targeting of Gaza’s healthcare system.
The arrest of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has ignited international condemnation and raised serious questions about the conduct of Israeli forces during their recent raid on the medical facility. Dr. Abu Safiya, a prominent figure in Gaza’s healthcare system, is now being held at Sde Teiman, a notorious Israeli military prison known for its history of human rights abuses. His detention, carried out without clear cause, has drawn widespread criticism from medical professionals and human rights organizations worldwide. On Friday, Israeli forces stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last functioning medical facility in northern Gaza, in a raid that left the hospital inoperable. Witnesses reported that Israeli soldiers set fire to several departments, killing and injuring medical workers and patients. During the assault, all 350 individuals inside the hospital—including 180 medical staff, 75 wounded patients, and their relatives—were forcibly removed at gunpoint. Shockingly, Israeli soldiers made no distinction between doctors, patients, and journalists, forcing everyone to strip down to their underwear before being transferred to an unknown location. This indiscriminate treatment has been widely condemned as a violation of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of medical personnel and facilities during conflict. Dr. Abu Safiya, who has been a vocal critic of Israel’s attacks on Gaza’s healthcare system, was reportedly beaten by Israeli soldiers before being arrested. The last image of him shows the doctor, still in his white coat, walking alone toward Israeli tanks amid the rubble of the hospital. This poignant image has since gone viral, symbolizing the plight of Gaza’s medical community. According to recently released detainees, Dr. Abu Safiya is being held at Sde Teiman, a military detention center in Israel’s Negev desert with a well-documented history of abuse, including torture, sexual assault, and denial of medical care. Former prisoners have confirmed seeing the doctor at the facility, describing the inhumane conditions they endured during their own detention. The Israeli military has accused Dr. Abu Safiya of being a “Hamas terrorist operative” and claimed that Kamal Adwan Hospital was being used as a “command and control center” for Hamas. However, no evidence has been provided to substantiate these allegations. Critics argue that these claims are part of a broader pattern of targeting Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, which has been systematically dismantled since the start of the war.

Global calls for justice

The arrest of Dr. Abu Safiya has sparked a global campaign for his release, with medical professionals and human rights organizations demanding accountability from Israeli authorities. A petition on Change.org addressed to U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris has garnered nearly 2,000 signatures, urging the international community to intervene. The World Health Organization (WHO), Amnesty International, and other prominent organizations have also called for Dr. Abu Safiya’s immediate release, emphasizing the protection of medical personnel under international law. The WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, condemned the forced evacuation of patients and staff from Kamal Adwan Hospital and the detention of its director, describing it as a violation of humanitarian principles.

A broader pattern of targeting healthcare

Dr. Abu Safiya’s arrest is not an isolated incident. Since the start of the war, hundreds of medical workers in Gaza have been detained, often without cause, and at least 500 healthcare professionals have been killed. The targeting of hospitals and medical personnel has left Gaza’s healthcare system in ruins, with patients struggling to access life-saving treatment. The international community must hold Israel accountable for its actions and ensure that medical personnel like Dr. Abu Safiya are protected, not persecuted. The principles of international humanitarian law must be upheld, and the world cannot remain silent as Gaza’s healthcare system is systematically destroyed. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net CNN.com
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