WMA renews urgent appeal to Israeli authorities over detained Gaza physicians, citing “grave concerns” for Dr Abu Safiya’s life
The World Medical Association (WMA) has sent a further letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, renewing its call for the immediate release or fair trial of detained Palestinian health professionals from Gaza, and warning that the health of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, has severely deteriorated in detention.
The letter follows two previous appeals from the WMA, in November 2025 and 15 January 2026, urging the Israeli Government to guarantee due process and fair trial for detained health workers or release them unconditionally, to ensure humane treatment and access to healthcare, and to comply with international humanitarian law. The WMA states it has received no response to either letter, and that the situation has not improved, with at least fourteen Palestinian physicians from Gaza still in detention, most without formal charge.
Particular alarm is raised over the case of Dr Abu Safiya, detained since 27 December 2024. According to information received by the WMA, he was placed in solitary confinement on 3 June 2026, and a lawyer’s visit on 2 July 2026 found him too exhausted to speak, suffering intermittent loss of consciousness, with injuries around his eyes, ears, neck and head, following earlier reports of dramatic weight loss and cardiac arrhythmia.
WMA President Dr Jacqueline Kitulu’s letter calls on the Israeli Government to:
- Guarantee all detained health professionals immediate access to independent medical care, including an Istanbul Protocol evaluation where torture or ill-treatment is alleged;
- Afford due process and fair trial guarantees, or release them immediately and unconditionally in the absence of formal charges;
- Ensure humane conditions of detention, including an end to solitary confinement and regular access to legal counsel and family;
- Uphold the protections owed to healthcare personnel and facilities under international humanitarian law and the principle of medical neutrality.
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