Gaza Doctor Abu Safiya Alleges Daily Beatings Since June 24 as Israel Denies Abuse

Q: What secret evidence justifies holding a top Gaza doctor as an unlawful combatant?

The public record does not show what the secret evidence is. Israel’s Supreme Court said it upheld Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya’s detention under the Unlawful Combatants Law on the basis of “confidential materials” that were not disclosed to him or his lawyers, so the specific proof justifying his continued imprisonment cannot be independently assessed. What is known is Israel’s stated allegation: the IDF says Abu Safiya was detained for suspected involvement in terrorist activity, for allegedly holding a rank in Hamas, and in the context of claims that Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives were present inside Kamal Adwan Hospital while he was its director. Outside government, NGO Monitor’s Gerald Steinberg has claimed there is visual evidence of Abu Safiya with Hamas military leaders and has alleged he was a Hamas “colonel,” but those assertions have not been publicly tested in court. That leaves a sharp gap between accusation and verifiable evidence. Abu Safiya, his family, his lawyer, medical colleagues, aid workers and rights groups deny he worked for Hamas and say he was a pediatrician and hospital director targeted without due process. Critics argue that because the evidence remains secret, neither the defense nor the public can evaluate its credibility, context or sufficiency. So the short answer is that the justification is said to be classified intelligence alleging Hamas ties, but the substance of that intelligence remains undisclosed.

3 articles · Updated · ABC News · Jul 5

Lawyer Nasser Odeh said Hussam Abu Safiya arrived at a prison meeting with fresh head, eye, ear and neck injuries, struggling to breathe, speak and sit upright without collapsing.
PHRI said the 53-year-old doctor reported daily beatings since his June 24 transfer to the underground Rakefet facility at Nitzan prison, with repeated loss of consciousness and no proper medical treatment.
Abu Safiya told his lawyer, "This is the last time you will see me" and said he feared he was being taken there to be killed; Odeh concluded his life was in immediate danger.
Israel Prison Service called the allegations false and said detainees are held lawfully and receive medical care, but declined to discuss Abu Safiya's specific condition.
The former Kamal Adwan hospital director has been held for 18 months without formal charge under Israel's Unlawful Enemy Combatants Law after his December 2024 arrest.