**Title: UN Inquiry Urges Immediate Release of Palestinian Doctor Detained by Israel**
**Date: July 8, 2026**
A United Nations inquiry commission has called for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, a Palestinian doctor who has been detained by Israeli authorities without charge for over 18 months. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory made this appeal on July 6, 2026, citing credible reports of severe abuse faced by the 52-year-old physician.
Dr. Abu Safia serves as the director of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital and was detained in December 2024 along with other medical staff and patients. Israeli authorities have classified him as an "unlawful combatant," a designation that allows for prolonged detention without trial. The commission’s statement emphasized the need for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Abu Safia and all medical personnel held in similar circumstances.
His lawyer, Nasser Odeh, has raised alarm about the doctor’s deteriorating health, indicating that he faces daily abuse in custody. Reports from rights groups and family members suggest that Dr. Abu Safia exhibits signs of having been subjected to torture. During a recent visit, Odeh noted that he struggled to recognize the doctor due to severe injuries. Additionally, footage from a recent court appearance showed Dr. Abu Safia looking significantly thinner, raising further concerns about his well-being.
The UN commission's statement highlighted that the treatment of Dr. Abu Safia reflects a broader pattern of violations by Israeli authorities. It described the actions of the Israeli Prison Service guards towards Palestinian detainees as raising "grave concerns" of potential violations of international law, possibly amounting to international crimes. The commission specifically called for immediate independent medical care for Dr. Abu Safia.
In response to the UN's findings, a spokesperson for the Israel Prison Service (IPS) dismissed the claims as "false, outrageous, and entirely without factual basis." While the spokesperson did not address Dr. Abu Safia specifically, the IPS has previously denied allegations of mistreatment of him and other medical professionals in custody.
The UN inquiry is not the first to raise concerns about the treatment of Palestinian detainees. In September 2025, the commission accused Israeli authorities of committing genocide by targeting Gaza's healthcare system and medical professionals since October 2023. Furthermore, a separate UN rights body recently characterized Dr. Abu Safia’s detention as "arbitrary," calling for his immediate release. This finding noted that Israel's actions contravene multiple articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Dr. Abu Safia is among 14 Palestinian doctors currently held by Israel without charge. Prior to his detention, he was a prominent advocate for Gaza’s healthcare sector, continuing his work despite the tragic loss of one of his sons in an Israeli drone strike. His case has garnered attention from various human rights organizations and activists, who have rallied for his release.
The situation surrounding Dr. Abu Safia has sparked protests in Israel, with left-wing activists holding placards and chanting slogans in Tel Aviv on July 6, 2026, demanding his release. The ongoing advocacy for his freedom underscores the broader issues of human rights and the treatment of detainees within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the international community continues to monitor the situation, calls for accountability and adherence to human rights standards remain at the forefront of discussions regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody. The UN inquiry’s appeal serves as a reminder of the urgent need for transparency and justice in cases involving medical professionals and other vulnerable populations in conflict zones.