Israel stops detained Gaza chief doctor from seeing lawyer
Israel is stopping the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, from meeting with his lawyer, according to a statement from by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-I) on January 6th.Â
PHR-I said that “requested a lawyer to meet with Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who has not been seen publicly since his arrest during an Israeli forces raid late last month”, according to The New Arab.Â
The rights group said that the request was made to enable the lawyer, Nasser Odeh, to examine Abu Safiya’s condition and the conditions of his detention.Â
The Israeli military stated that Odeh, who routinely sees Palestinian detainee’s in prisons, was banned from meeting Abu Safiya until January 10th.Â
Abu Safiya alongside other medical staff at kamal Adwan Hospital were abducted on December 27th, as well as wounded patients and other people in the building in Beit Lahia.Â
Israeli forces intentionally set the medical facility alight after bombing it for weeks. Reportedly, some staff were burned alive.Â
READ: Dozens evacuate from Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital following strikes
Israel initially denied the detainment of Abu Safiya, before stating that he has been detained at Sde Teiman facility, which is reportedly known for abusing Palestinians.Â
Tel Aviv authorities said Abu Safiya was “was arrested on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities.” This is a reportedly a charge which the authorities have not presented any evidence for.Â
Abu Safiya’s arrest has prompted an international outcry among rights groups, official UN bodies and health professionals.Â
World Health Organisation Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement: “Since the arrest of hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya on December 27, no information has been provided about his safety or health condition.”Â
Ghebreyesus said: “We continue to call on Israel to release Abu Safiya.”
Last week, many medical professionals used the hashtag #FreeDrHussamAbuSafiyeh on social media to take action against his detainment and stressed that Israel should face accountability for the attack on hospital facilities and medics.Â
Rights groups have said that there are indications that Abu Safiya is being tortured and abused, as reported by Middle East Eye on January 3rd.
The New Arab, Middle East Eye
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