• UN experts urge immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya due to torture concerns.
• Reports indicate his health is in a dire condition, with denied medical treatment.
• More than 930 attacks on Gaza's healthcare system have been documented since October 2023.
• Experts criticize Israel's detention practices as 'flagrantly arbitrary'.

United Nations experts are demanding the immediate release of Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya from Israeli detention, citing reports of “severe torture” and serious health risks he currently faces. The UN special rapporteurs, Tlaleng Mofokeng and Ben Saul, emphasized that Abu Safiya's health remains critical as he has been "systematically denied critical medical examination and treatment," compromising his wellbeing. His detention is described as arbitrary and a breach of international law, undermining the rights of detainees to access necessary medical care, according to Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.

Dr. Abu Safiya, who formerly directed Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has been in Israeli custody since December 2024. His arrest followed his refusal to abandon the hospital during military operations, and since then, reports highlight that he has faced severe health challenges, including significant weight loss and untreated medical conditions, including scabies and heart issues. The experts argue that his treatment exemplifies a systematic pattern of abuse against healthcare professionals in Gaza, as voiced by Middle East Eye and Anadolu Agency.

The UN experts noted that allegations of ill-treatment and medical neglect have emerged from numerous Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody since October 2023, reflecting a growing crisis regarding human rights violations in the region. They emphasized the obligation of states under international law to protect healthcare workers and ensure their rights are respected, highlighting a concerning trend where over 930 attacks on the healthcare sector in Gaza have occurred, as stated by the World Health Organization, according to Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye.