UN Committee Calls for Release of Gaza Doctor Detained by Israel

SadaNews - A United Nations investigative committee expressed concern on Wednesday regarding reports of violations against a prominent Palestinian doctor, who was detained by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip in December 2024 and remains in detention in Israel. The committee urged for his release.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, called for the immediate release of Hussam Abu Safiyya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip.

Human rights organizations and Abu Safiyya's lawyer have indicated that his life is in serious danger. "Physicians for Human Rights - Israel," an Israeli human rights organization, stated that he is still being held without charges, according to reports from Reuters.

The UN investigative committee stated: "The actions of Israeli prison service guards towards Palestinian detainees raise serious concerns of violations of international law that may amount to international crimes. Dr. Abu Safiyya's health condition is a direct result of these actions."

A spokesperson for the Israeli prison service stated today: "The claims and descriptions mentioned are false, disgraceful, and completely lack any factual basis."

While the spokesperson did not mention Abu Safiyya by name, the Israeli prison service has previously denied allegations of mistreatment of him and other doctors in prison.

On Monday, Abu Safiyya's lawyer stated that his client's health is in danger and that he is subjected to abuse daily. In June, Abu Safiyya attended a hearing before the Supreme Court in Jerusalem via video call, appearing to have lost significant weight from his face and abdomen.

The UN investigative committee noted that the behavior of the Israeli authorities towards Abu Safiyya reflects a broader pattern of violations documented by the committee in previous reports.

In September 2025, the committee stated that Israeli authorities committed genocide by targeting the healthcare system and medical workers in Gaza since October 2023, a claim that Israel described as outrageous.

Israel accused the investigative committee of having a political agenda against it and of exceeding the mandate granted to it, refusing to cooperate with the committee.

On Monday, another UN human rights body described Israel's detention of Abu Safiyya as arbitrary and called for his immediate release. In its conclusions, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that Israel's actions violate several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.