'Israel' refuses to release two Gaza doctors as part of ceasefire deal
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Two prominent Palestinian doctors remain excluded from the Gaza ceasefire prisoner deal, raising alarms over "Israel’s" targeting of healthcare workers and civilian infrastructure.
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Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyah supervises the treatment of an injured man on November 21, 2024 (AFP/Getty Images)
"Israel" has refused to release two prominent Palestinian doctors as part of the latest Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, drawing sharp criticism from human rights organizations and Palestinian officials.
According to a Hamas official speaking to CNN, “The occupation refused to release Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya,” a well-known pediatrician who served as the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.
Dr. Abu Safiya was detained during an Israeli military raid on the hospital in December 2024 that shut down the last major hospital functioning in the northern part of the Strip.
Dr. Marwan al-Hams, director of Gaza’s field hospitals, was also excluded from the agreement, according to the official.
The two doctors, both vital figures in Gaza’s crumbling healthcare system, were reportedly detained while working to treat patients under horrific siege conditions. Their exclusion from the detainee/prisoner-captive release list has been met with widespread outrage from Palestinian political factions and medical advocacy groups.
Critics say the decision to withhold the release of medical personnel reflects a deliberate targeting of Gaza’s health sector, a tactic they describe as part of "Israel’s" broader assault on civilian infrastructure in the Strip.
Read more: Israeli media, officials acknowledge failure in war on Gaza
Palestinian outrage over weaponization of medical staff
Palestinian officials have condemned the exclusion, accusing "Israel" of weaponizing healthcare workers and violating international humanitarian norms. Human rights groups warn that preventing the return of key medical staff undermines the humanitarian objectives of the ceasefire.
A Hamas spokesperson stated, “Refusing to release doctors who serve the people of Gaza shows the occupation’s disregard for human life and sabotages efforts toward peace.”
Analysts say the move not only deepens the healthcare crisis in Gaza but also further erodes trust in negotiations and future detainee/prisoner-captive exchange agreements.
The agreement reached last Wednesday includes the planned release of 48 Israeli captives held in Gaza, of whom 20 are believed to be alive. In return, "Israel" is obligated to release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Palestinians detained from Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Humanitarian concerns undermine peace prospects
Observers warn that excluding medical professionals from release undermines the humanitarian framework of the deal and reflects a political calculus that prioritizes retribution over reconciliation.
Rights organizations have reiterated calls for the unconditional release of detained medical workers, highlighting the collapse of healthcare services across Gaza due to military attacks, siege conditions, and a lack of essential staff.
As the ceasefire unfolds, the exclusion of these Palestinian doctors continues to raise alarm about the sincerity of peace efforts and the long-term implications for Gaza’s health system and broader civilian infrastructure.
