Occupation Extends the Detention of Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya

SadaNews - The Israeli court extended today, Tuesday, the arbitrary detention of Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya from the Gaza Strip under the "illegal combatant" law, continuing to hold him in the "Negev" prison under harsh conditions while depriving him of medical treatment despite the deterioration of his health; according to the Prisoners' Media Office.

The organization "Doctors for Human Rights" stated that "the Be'er Sheva District Court decided on Tuesday morning to extend the detention of Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya under the 'illegal combatants' law, without charging him with any offenses, and rejected the defense's request for his immediate release."

Despite the court itself extending Abu Safiya's detention for 6 months in October 2025, the organization indicated that the latest extension is "indefinite."

It added, "The court upheld the detention decision despite the fact that detaining a doctor while performing his medical duties is considered illegal detention."

According to the organization, "Dr. Abu Safiya is currently held in the 'Negev' prison under harsh conditions, without receiving his medications or medical treatment, despite the deterioration of his health condition."

Dr. Abu Safiya, a pediatric consultant, was arrested on December 27, 2024, under threat of gunfire when the Israeli army stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, destroying it and putting it out of service.

Israel continues to detain Dr. Abu Safiya despite his repeated denials of engaging in any activity outside his medical professional role, disregarding the calls from Israeli, Palestinian, and international human rights organizations for his immediate release.

According to a previous report by Amnesty International, Abu Safiya "managed Kamal Adwan Hospital tirelessly to secure care for children, witnessing the collapse of the health sector under the weight of genocide, as he continued to fulfill his mission despite the tragedy of his son's death in an Israeli strike, before being detained among his patients as was the case with many of his colleagues."