Two UN special rapporteurs, Tlaleng Mofokeng, the Special Rapporteur on the right to health, and Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights, called for the immediate release from Israeli custody of Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya. Abu Safiya was the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, who was kidnapped by the IDF in December of 2024. “We have received reports that Dr Abu Safiya has been subjected to torture and other cruel and degrading treatment, and that his health condition remains dire,” the experts said in a joint statement issued on March 24. “The conditions of his detention appear to be flagrantly arbitrary and manifestly inconsistent with the Mandela Rules, which establish the obligation of states to ensure prisoners have access to healthcare.”
Middle East Eye notes that scores of doctors, healthcare workers, and emergency responders have been reportedly targeted and arbitrarily detained by Israel, many of whom were seized while carrying out their duties in hospitals. “Violence against healthcare workers, destruction of health facilities, and underlying determinants of health continue unabated despite a so-called ceasefire in Gaza,” the experts said.
Despite being a civilian doctor, Abu Safiya has been categorized as an “unlawful combatant” under Israeli law, which means there is no formal indictment against him. The two UN experts stressed in their statement that the law “violates human rights and humanitarian law.” Rights groups have described this legislation as a flagrant violation of international law. It allows Israeli authorities to detain individuals without a court order or access to legal representation as well as withhold information about their whereabouts and conditions.
