The United Nations investigation expressed worry over reports of mistreatment of a well-known Palestinian doctor detained by the Israeli military in Gaza in December 2024 and currently held in Israel. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, demanded the immediate release of Hussam Abu Safiya, who serves as the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip.
Various rights organizations and Abu Safiya’s legal representative have raised concerns about his well-being, stating that his life is at risk and he is being detained without formal charges. Physicians for Human Rights Israel, an Israeli rights group, highlighted the precarious situation. The UN inquiry criticized the Israeli Prison Service for its treatment of Palestinian prisoners, suggesting potential violations of international law amounting to international crimes, leading to Abu Safiya’s deteriorating health.
In response, an Israel Prison Service spokesperson refuted the claims as baseless and denied mistreatment allegations against Abu Safiya and other medical professionals. Abu Safiya’s lawyer recently expressed concerns over his client’s health and reported daily abuse. During a Supreme Court hearing in Jerusalem via video link in June, Abu Safiya appeared visibly thinner.
The UN inquiry noted a recurring pattern of violations by Israeli authorities towards Abu Safiya, aligning with previous reports highlighting broader violations. In September 2025, the inquiry accused Israeli authorities of committing genocide by targeting Gaza’s healthcare system and medical personnel since October 2023, a claim strongly rejected by Israel.
Separately, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention labeled Israel’s detention of Abu Safiya as arbitrary and called for his immediate release, citing violations of human rights declarations and international agreements. Concurrently, deadly Israeli airstrikes and gunfire in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians, including children, on Wednesday, with several others wounded.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has led to continuous violence, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire agreements. Since the ceasefire nine months ago, casualties have mounted, with significant civilian losses reported in Gaza. The situation remains tense as both Hamas and Israel continue to clash despite international efforts to broker peace.