'Israel' extends detention of Gaza doctor, Abu Safiya, without charges
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"Israel’s" renewed detention of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya prompts condemnations from human rights groups.
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A woman holds a sign with a photo of Palestinian Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya during a protest calling for his release in front of the Shin Bet offices in “Israel”, Jan. 1, 2025 (AP)
An Israeli court has approved the extension of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya’s detention without charge or trial for another six months, according to the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. The decision has drawn widespread calls for his release as part of a broader push to release hundreds of Palestinian detainees under the recent ceasefire agreement.
“This decision strips away any pretense: Dr. Abu Safiya is a hostage, a bargaining chip in ongoing negotiations,” Al Mezan said in a statement. Abu Safiya is the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, when invading Israeli units raided the facility in December 2024.
He has been abducted along with dozens of other doctors and medical staff for nearly ten months.
Amnesty International calls for immediate release
Amnesty International has urged Israeli authorities to release Dr. Abu Safiya immediately and unconditionally. The rights group said the pediatrician and hospital director, who has been held without charge since December 2024, faces a detention hearing that could prolong his “arbitrary detention” by another six months under "Israel’s" "Unlawful Combatants’ Law."
According to Amnesty, Abu Safiya has endured abuse, beatings, and severe restrictions while detained at Ofer prison. A lawyer who recently visited him reported significant weight loss and worsening conditions among Palestinian detainees.
🚨 Tomorrow, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya faces a hearing to rubberstamp the extension of his arbitrary detention — without charges or trial – for another six months. Dr. Hussam should have never been detained in the first place, let alone subjected to this ordeal of torture and abuse.… pic.twitter.com/DOnil4h3qp
— Amnesty MENA (@AmnestyMENA) October 15, 2025
Amnesty noted that he had continued his work despite losing his son in an Israeli airstrike and amid widespread attacks on Gaza’s healthcare system.
“Dr. Hussam should have never been detained in the first place,” the group said, accusing Israeli authorities of systematically targeting Palestinian health workers. Amnesty called on the international community to press for the release of Abu Safiya and other arbitrarily detained medical staff.
Colombian president awards Palestinian doctor
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that he will award Dr. Abu Safiya the Order of Boyacá, Colombia’s highest honor, recognizing him as a national hero. Petro criticized "Israel’s" refusal to release the doctor, posting on the X platform: “They did not release Dr. Hussam Abu Safia. His crime was treating children at the hospital, even after Netanyahu's forces arrived to arrest him.”
No liberaron al doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, su delito: atender niños y niñas en el hospital hasta que llegaron tropas de Netanyahu a detenerlo.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 16, 2025
Lo condecoraremos aun en la prisión. No habrá cambios en las relaciones diplomáticas con Israel hasta que cumpla con los acuerdos https://t.co/WyPmsPmifH
Petro added: “We will honor him even while he is in prison” and stressed that “there will be no change in diplomatic relations with the Israeli entity until it abides by the agreements.” He noted that the Order of Boyacá was the only award he could bestow, given limited official resources, and intended it as recognition of the courage of Palestinian health workers.
Colombia to fund Gaza children’s aid from seized gold
In a related announcement, President Petro said his government would auction gold confiscated from drug traffickers to finance medical treatment for children injured in Gaza.
He framed the initiative as a response to global inaction on the humanitarian crisis, linking it to Colombia’s anti-drug operations and the significant assets the government has seized from illegal mining activities.
The plan reflects Colombia’s ongoing commitment to support Gaza’s reconstruction while protesting "Israel’s" detention of Palestinian medical staff.
