Gaza: Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI) has reported that the Israeli military is preventing Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, from consulting with a lawyer to assess his condition and the circumstances of his detention. PHRI stated that despite their urgent requests, the military has barred lawyer visits to Dr. Abu Safiya until January 1, 2025.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the Israeli military has also withheld information regarding Dr. Abu Safiya’s detention location, despite withdrawing their previous claim that he was not held in Israel. PHRI made these revelations in a statement on the social media platform X.
PHRI emphasized that international humanitarian law protects medical professionals. They highlighted the importance of this protection by noting that attacks on healthcare professionals affect entire societies, impacting civilians in need of medical care, including those with chronic illnesses and injuries.
PHRI further reported alarming statistics indicating that over 20,000 individuals are awaiting urgent medical evacuations due to the lack of an active healthcare system in Gaza. They noted that many medical professionals have been unable to provide care, with over a thousand killed, 230 arrested, and 130 still held in Israeli incarceration facilities. PHRI also pointed out that more than 70 individuals have died in Israeli incarceration facilities, contrasting this with the nine deaths in Guantanamo over 22 years.