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 outlined in international humanitarian law. His detention and alleged torture raise serious concerns about Israel's compliance with these laws, particularly the prohibition of torture and the right to liberty and security. The fact that 13 other senior doctors are also being held without charge underscores the broader issue of arbitrary detention of Palestinians, with around 9,300 currently in Israeli custody. The high number of deaths in detention, including those due to torture and ill-treatment, suggests a systemic problem that requires immediate attention. The effectiveness of Israeli judicial safeguards and remedies is also called into question, as Dr. Abu Safiya's lawyers have reported assaults in detention in retribution for their legal actions. The international community must closely monitor this situation and push for accountability to ensure that Israel upholds its obligations under international law.
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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