JERUSALEM (AA)

- Physicians for Human Rights Israel said that Abu Safiya was beaten in his detention, resulting in an injury to his finger and bleeding.

- The association clarified that Abu Safiya underwent a medical examination and X-ray, but the results were not provided to him, and his supply of painkillers was stopped after a few days.

- The association demanded an independent medical examination for Abu Safiya, along with placing his detention conditions under independent judicial oversight.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel demanded on Thursday an independent medical examination for Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, after he reported being beaten in his detention.

The association said in a statement received by Anadolu that Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, reported being beaten again by Israeli jailers, resulting in an injury to his finger and bleeding.

It added that Abu Safiya made this statement during a visit on Tuesday by lawyer Nasser Odeh, accompanied by the association's legal advisor Tamir Blank.

It noted that Abu Safiya has been detained by Israel since December 2024 without an indictment, and is suffering harsh detention conditions in the underground facility 'Rikvef'.

The association quoted Abu Safiya as saying he is 'held in an isolated cell, and the visit took place in the presence of masked jailers in an adjacent room, at a distance that allowed them to hear the conversation, preventing confidentiality of communication with his lawyer.'

According to the association, Abu Safiya explained that he underwent a medical examination and X-ray, but the results were not provided to him, and his supply of painkillers was stopped after a few days.

It added that he requested to be transferred from the 'Rikvef' facility and to end his isolation, and to provide him with appropriate medical care, including an examination by an eye doctor, return of his medical glasses, and resumption of painkiller supply.

The association demanded an independent medical examination for Abu Safiya, along with subjecting his detention conditions and allegations of assault to independent judicial oversight.

It stated that these developments come amid a petition filed by Physicians for Human Rights Israel demanding the release of 14 Palestinian doctors from Gaza, including Abu Safiya, whom Israel is detaining without indictments or trial.

The association said that 'the state asked the court to dismiss the petition without a hearing, while the court ordered the petitioners to respond to the state's position by July 19, 2026.'

It added that after receiving the response, the judge will decide whether legal proceedings will continue, noting that no date has yet been set for a hearing on the petition.

The Israeli army arrested Abu Safiya on December 27, 2024, during its raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, which he was managing, amid Israel's genocidal war on the strip.

Abu Safiya appeared to have lost significant weight compared to his appearance at the time of his arrest, during a video appearance at an Israeli court session on June 10 last year.

According to data from Palestinian prisoners' institutions, Israel is detaining about 9,500 Palestinian prisoners, including 350 children, 99 women, and 3,244 administrative detainees, amid allegations of torture, starvation, and medical neglect against them.

Israel's genocidal war on Gaza began on October 8, 2023, and has resulted in the deaths of over 73,000 Palestinians and injuries to over 173,000, along with widespread destruction affecting about 90% of civilian infrastructure.

Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 10, 2025, the Israeli army has continued to carry out airstrikes, shooting operations, and demolitions in various areas of the Gaza Strip.

Israel has also expanded its occupation to cover about 70% of the strip's area, confining Palestinians to no more than 30% of it.