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A United Nations (UN) investigative panel has voiced deep concern over the continued detention and reported mistreatment of a prominent Palestinian physician held by Israeli authorities, urging his immediate release.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, appealed for the release of Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, who was arrested by the Israeli military in Gaza in December 2024 and remains in custody.
According to Physicians for Human Rights Israel and the doctor’s legal representative, Abu Safiya has not been formally charged and his health has deteriorated significantly while in detention, raising fears for his safety.
The U.N. panel stated that the treatment allegedly inflicted on the physician by prison officials raises serious concerns over possible breaches of international humanitarian law that could amount to international crimes.
It added that his worsening medical condition is reportedly linked to his treatment in custody.
Responding to the allegations, the Israel Prison Service dismissed the claims as baseless and misleading.
Although the agency did not mention Abu Safiya by name, it has consistently denied accusations of abuse involving him and other detained medical personnel.
Earlier this week, the doctor’s lawyer claimed he had been subjected to repeated ill-treatment and warned that his condition had become critical.
During a hearing before Israel’s Supreme Court in June, conducted via video link from detention, Abu Safiya reportedly appeared visibly thinner.
The commission said the case reflects what it described as a wider pattern of misconduct by Israeli authorities, echoing findings contained in its previous investigations.
In September 2025, the inquiry accused Israel of committing genocide through attacks on Gaza’s healthcare system and medical workers since October 2023.
Israel rejected the allegation, calling it unfounded and politically motivated.
Israeli authorities have repeatedly criticised the commission, accusing it of bias and exceeding its mandate, while refusing to cooperate with its investigations.
Separately, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled on Monday that Abu Safiya’s detention was arbitrary and called for his immediate release.
The body concluded that his imprisonment violated several provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong