Gaza Herald – Disturbing testimonies from recently released detainees have shed light on the severe physical and psychological abuse reportedly endured by Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya in Israeli jails, raising urgent concerns about his health and safety.
Former detainee Ahmed Qaddas recounted that he initially failed to recognize Abu Safiya when he saw him in detention, describing a stark transformation from a well-known and charismatic hospital director into a physically weakened and mentally exhausted individual. According to Qaddas, the doctor appeared withdrawn, often sitting in silence or murmuring incomprehensible words due to extreme fatigue caused by ongoing torture.
Dr. Abu Safiya, who served as director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, was kidnapped on December 27, 2024, when Israeli occupation forces stormed the facility. Earlier reports by Amnesty International indicated that he had been subjected to abuse and ill-treatment during his detention.
Testimonies describe both physical and psychological torture. Detainees reported hearing his screams during interrogations, while being unable to assist him due to fear of punitive measures such as tear gas being deployed inside cells. Qaddas noted that Abu Safiya showed visible signs of severe weight loss, exhaustion, and neglect, with deteriorating clothing and hygiene reflecting harsh detention conditions.
Another former detainee, Hamza Abu Amira, stated that Abu Safiya appeared to be deliberately singled out for harsher treatment compared to other prisoners. He described repeated beatings, verbal abuse, and forced isolation during interrogation sessions. Abu Amira also reported that the doctor suffered from persistent vomiting and was unable to retain food, while being denied adequate medical care.
Accounts further revealed that detainees, including Abu Safiya, were at times shackled for days with their hands and legs bound, making basic activities such as eating or using the bathroom extremely difficult. In some instances, he was allegedly forced under duress to repeat degrading statements about himself, reflecting a systematic attempt to break his psychological resilience.
A third testimony from former detainee Rami Abu Amira described incidents of severe physical abuse, including the use of police dogs during interrogations. He claimed that Abu Safiya was stripped and attacked by dogs, sustaining injuries and scratches, while also being subjected to repeated raids on his sleeping area using stun grenades and tear gas.
Witnesses unanimously warned that Dr. Abu Safiya’s condition has reached a critical stage, with a real risk to his life if detention conditions persist. They called for immediate international intervention to secure his release and ensure his protection.
Dr. Abu Safiya remains widely respected in Gaza as a dedicated physician who continued working under extreme situations, even after losing his son during the war. According to available data, he is among hundreds of medical personnel detained since the start of the conflict, many of whom reportedly faced similar patterns of abuse and mistreatment.
