disaster
oPt: Urgent action needed to protect Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya
By UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at ReliefWeb
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
. UN Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory calls on the Israeli Government to urgently protect Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and ensure his safety, dignity, and physical integrity. The Israeli Government must immediately release Dr. Abu Safiya, or promptly charge him with a recognizable crimina
Key takeaway Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has been held in Israeli custody since December 2024 under Israel's Unlawful Combatant Law, without charge or trial.
Why this matters
The case of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya highlights the dire situation of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, with widespread reports of torture and ill-treatment. The fact that Dr. Abu Safiya, a medical professional, has been held without charge or trial since December 2024 under Israel's Unlawful Combatant Law, raises concerns about the protection of medical personnel during armed conflict. The UN Human Rights call for his immediate release or a fair trial underscores the need for Israel to uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law. With thirteen other senior doctors and around 9,300 Palestinians in Israeli custody, including thousands held arbitrarily, the situation demands urgent attention from the international community. The documented deaths of at least 91 Palestinians in Israeli detention since October 2023, including cases attributed to torture and ill-treatment, further emphasizes the need for accountability and reform in Israel's detention policies and practices.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . UN Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory calls on the Israeli Government to urgently protect Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and ensure his safety, dignity, and physical integrity. The Israeli Government must immediately release Dr. Abu Safiya, or promptly charge him with a recognizable crimina
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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