Colombian President Gustavo Petro described Monday the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, as "a true hero of medical ethics and service to others and his people."

In a post on X, Petro emphasized that the Israeli occupation's military's imprisoning of Abu Safiya "only exposes the cowardice of the oppressive regime that detains him."

El médico palestino Hussem Abu Safiyeh es un verdadero héroe de la ética médica y el servicio al prójimo, a su pueblo. Encarcelarlo solo muestra la cobardía del régimen oprobioso que lo detiene. https://t.co/121EJXeMjM

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) December 30, 2024

The Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed on Saturday that Israeli occupation forces have detained Abu Safiya. On Friday, the ministry stated that the occupation forces had taken dozens of medical staff, including Abu Safiya, to an interrogation center following the burning of Kamal Adwan Hospital.

In an alarming escalation, the Israeli military launched an airstrike in the vicinity of the hospital, after storming its premises and forcibly displacing 300 patients. Many of these patients, who were dependent on life-saving medical devices, were left in the open, exposed to the harsh cold, further endangering their fragile health.

The Government Media Office expressed deep concern on Sunday regarding Abu Safiya's fate, who, during the genocidal war on North Gaza, exemplified remarkable dedication and commitment to his medical and humanitarian duties, despite the harsh conditions and imminent dangers.

The Media Office further stated that reports of Abu Safiya enduring severe violations and physical and psychological pressure after his detention — including being used as a human shield — represent a blatant violation of all humanitarian values and international conventions.

The statement called for immediate and serious action from all concerned parties, particularly the international community and humanitarian, legal, and rights organizations worldwide.

The targeting of hospitals in Gaza has sparked widespread condemnation. The World Health Organization (WHO) condemned how "hospitals have once again become battlegrounds."

In its statement, the WHO emphasized that "the systematic dismantling of the health system and a siege for over 80 days on north Gaza puts the lives of the 75,000 Palestinians remaining in the area at risk."

The WHO also highlighted that relocating and treating these patients under such dire conditions poses significant risks to their survival. The statement stressed, "WHO is deeply concerned for their wellbeing, as well as for the Kamal Adwan Hospital director."

Several Arab nations also condemned the targeting of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, urging the international community to assume its responsibilities, halt these violations immediately, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure the protection of civilian facilities as well as medical and humanitarian teams in Gaza.

Read more: Al-Azhar al-Sharif condemns IOF burning of Kamal Adwan