Gaza Herald – The Israeli Supreme Court has rejected an appeal challenging the continued detention of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and approved his ongoing imprisonment under Israel’s “unlawful combatant” law, according to his lawyer, Nasser Odeh.
The decision means Dr. Abu Safiya, a pediatrician and hospital director from Gaza, will remain in detention without formal charges being filed against him, a move his legal team says contradicts international legal standards and the protections granted to medical personnel under the Geneva Conventions.
Attorney Nasser Odeh said the ruling effectively extends Abu Safiya’s detention indefinitely, despite the absence of any publicly disclosed indictment. He added that the case raises serious concerns about due process and the application of emergency detention frameworks in the context of armed conflict.
Dr. Abu Safiya is currently being detained in solitary confinement at Nafha Prison, where his lawyer reports he is facing harsh detention conditions, including restricted access to medical care and basic rights.
The case has drawn attention from legal and humanitarian observers who argue that medical professionals are entitled to specific protections under international humanitarian law, particularly during periods of active conflict.
Separately, accounts from earlier phases of his detention and last known appearances circulated widely in media reports, showing the doctor in visibly poor condition, with allegations of physical mistreatment and visible bruising. These reports have not been independently verified by the Israeli occupation, who have not publicly commented on the specifics of his condition.
Human rights advocates continue to call for transparency regarding his legal status and access to independent medical assessment, while his legal team maintains that his detention is arbitrary and lacks evidentiary basis.
