Official announcements from the World Health Organization or international diplomatic sources

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya Arrested by Israeli Forces at Kamal Adwan Hospital, Held in Sde Teiman

Dec 30, 2024, 03:00 PM

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a pediatrician and the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last functioning major hospital in northern Gaza, was arrested by Israeli forces during a raid on the facility. The raid, which occurred on Friday, led to the hospital being set on fire and rendered out of service. Over 240 Palestinians, including patients and medical staff, were detained during the operation, which also involved a forced evacuation. Dr. Abu Safiya is reportedly being held at the Sde Teiman detention center, where former detainees have reported instances of torture and mistreatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Amnesty International have called for his immediate release, highlighting the severe threat to Gaza's health system due to ongoing attacks on hospitals. The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described hospitals in Gaza as 'battlegrounds' and demanded an end to such attacks, emphasizing the need for healthcare access and a ceasefire. Dr. Abu Safiya's family has urgently appealed for his release, citing severe mistreatment.