disaster
oPt: Urgent action needed to protect Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya [EN/AR]
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 urgent need for protection of medical personnel in conflict zones, as guaranteed under international humanitarian law. His detention without charge or trial, and alleged torture and ill-treatment, raise serious concerns about Israel's compliance with international human rights law. The fact that 13 other senior doctors are also in Israeli detention without charge suggests a broader pattern of disregard for the rights of Palestinian detainees. The high number of Palestinian deaths in Israeli detention, including those due to torture and ill-treatment, further underscores the need for immediate action to address these abuses. The international community must press Israel to ensure that its laws and practices governing detention comply with international standards, and that those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable. The fate of Dr. Abu Safiya and thousands of other Palestinian detainees hangs in the balance, and prompt action is necessary to prevent further harm.
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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