Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya is a Palestinian pediatrician and the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. Israeli forces detained him on December 27, 2024, during a military operation at the hospital. More than 600 days later, he remains in Israeli detention without having been formally charged or tried. He is being held under Israel's Unlawful Combatants Law, under detention orders that have been repeatedly renewed — most recently upheld by Israel's Supreme Court on June 16, 2026, keeping him detained until at least October 2026. Israel has accused Dr. Abu Safiya of involvement with Hamas. He has not been formally charged with a criminal offense, and Physicians for Human Rights Israel and other organizations have challenged the allegations.

There are also serious concerns about his health. His lawyer and Physicians for Human Rights Israel have reported significant deterioration in his condition and alleged physical abuse while in detention. (The Israel Prison Service has rejected the abuse allegations and says detainees receive medical care in accordance with professional standards.) The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found his detention arbitrary and called for his immediate release, while the UN Commission of Inquiry separately called for his immediate, unconditional and safe release.

We call on the Israeli authorities to immediately release Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, in line with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's finding and call for his immediate release. More than 600 days without charge or trial is more than enough. Sign to demand his release.