In December 2024, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, Director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, was forced by Israel to finally leave his post, where he had been working nonstop despite Israeli demands to evacuate the hospital as well as frequent bombings and gunfire at the hospital and its environs. Dr. Abu Safiya finally walked out, wearing his white doctor’s coat, into the rubble surrounding the hospital and surrendered to a waiting Israeli tank. He was arrested and has been held ever since without charge or trial. He has been repeatedly beaten, tortured, starved, kept in isolation, and,now according to his lawyer, is in danger of being killed in jail. Recently, his lawyer, who finally saw him, reported fresh wounds from repeated beatings and torture, coupled with extreme weakness. Dr. Hussam informed his lawyer that he felt he was brought to this latest prison location to be killed. “This is the last time you’ll see me,” he said.
FOSNA is proud to participate in a worldwide campaign to save the life of Dr. Hussam and to demand his release, which hopes to gather a million signatures on a petition for his immediate release. Amnesty International, together with many other international groups have joined in this campaign. At the end of this article, you will find a list of actions you can take towards that end. Hopefully, at least one of the many brave doctors and health workers currently incarcerated in Israeli jails will be saved. I want, however, to point out how this one case represents an ongoing pattern of Israeli behavior towards the tens of thousands of Palestinians currently suffering (or who have been killed) by Israel, in Gaza and elsewhere.
First, Israel designates a particular group (Hamas, Hezbollah, or others) as an enemy group, sometimes labelling them as “enemy combatants,” or “terrorists,” demonizing them to the point where ordinary categories of civilian versus military no longer apply to them. Rather, such individuals and groups come to form a separate designation, so evil and so abhorrent that anyone belonging to or in any way associated with such a group or organization, whether armed or unarmed, civilian or military, is treated, together with their families, residences, or anything else related to them, as a legitimate target who can be shot, bombed, or arrested regardless of where they are located or whether a ceasefire in place. Simply by virtue of labelling them Hamas (or Hezbollah, or whatever) they are determined to be fair game.
Second, the allegations are made regarding the target (like Dr. Hussam) without any evidence or proof. The Israeli Army spokesperson declares that a target is a “terrorist” or “Hamas” and their statements are cited in the media as facts. Foreign journalists are banned from the scene, and local Palestinian journalists are themselves targeted or shot. Human rights organizations are ignored. If there even is a trial, “secret evidence” is used. In the case of Dr. Safiya and thousands of others incarcerated from Gaza, there are no trials or formal charges. Incarceration is indefinite.
Once incarcerated, they are treated as animals. They are beaten, tortured, deprived of food, water, and medical care. They are denied visits by family members and visits by lawyers are only rarely allowed. In fact, the current Israeli Minister of National Security (Ben Gvir) openly boasts of his torture and humiliation of prisoners. 73 have died in jail since the invasion of Gaza following October 7. Almost all released have lost about 1/3 of their body weight and appear emaciated. The Red Cross is rarely allowed to visit, and a bill introduced last week in the Knesset would ban Red Cross visits altogether. The member bringing the bill stated that allowing the Red Cross into the prisons would “produce a public relations disaster.”
Finally, if anyone disputes the Israeli version of events, they are labeled as “biased,” “unreliable,” or “antisemitic.” Respected bodies, from the United Nations to international human rights organizations and even media outlets, who post statements by Israelis boasting about their war crimes are all labelled antisemitic and viciously attacked, often without disputing their factual accounts.
It is impossible to obtain release of such prisoners, or bring any measure of accountability on Israel for its actions, without resorting to mechanisms of Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions. At a minimum, an international outcry may create the pressure necessary. You can join in this effort by taking one of the following actions below, provided by our friends with Doctors Against Genocide, Avaaz, and Amnesty:
Step 1: “Draw a Line in the Sand”
• Add your name to the Petition to Free Dr. Abu Safiya! (Avaaz)
Step 2: “Shift the Narrative”
• Watch and share the appeal from Dr. Abu Safiya’s son, Elias. (Doctors Against Genocide)
Step 3: “Speak Truth to Power”
• Write directly to Israeli Military Advocate General Itai Ofi (cc: Secretary Rubio), to demand the release of Dr. Abu Safiya. (Amnesty)
o Note: only for those comfortable with contacting Israeli authorities directly
• OR: Call and write to decision makers. Call scripts, letter templates, and every contact you need. (Doctors Against Genocide)
Step 4: “Pray with Your Legs”
• Mark July 15 as the Hour of Global Solidarity (one hour at noon your local time, wherever you are) to free all Palestinian hostages, starting with healthcare workers. Learn More.
Finally: Be Creative & Develop Your Own Actions
• Tell your doctor, on your next visit, about Dr. Hussam.
• Speak to your local newspaper, TV, or radio station about the campaign and demand that they also join in.
• May I even suggest that you ask any supporters or friends of Israel you may know to join you, at the very least, in this matter: There is truly no justification for Israel’s actions; releasing Dr. Hussam and other health workers cannot possibly “hurt Israel’s security”; and, you can even make the case to them that doing so might help stop the rapid deterioration of its public image.