’They brought me here to kill me’: Gaza hospital director jailed in Israel in life-threatening danger, NGO warns ▻https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-07-04/ty-article-live/settlers-raid-palestinian-villages-across-west-bank-israel-police-arrest-locals/0000019f-2af6-dddd-af9f-eff7a4c70000?liveBlogItemId=1972644278#1972644278
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of a major Gaza hospital who has been imprisoned by Israel since 2024, is in immediate life-threatening danger, Physicians for Human Rights – Israel said Saturday, after his lawyer reported a severe deterioration in his condition following a visit at the “Rakefet” detention facility at Israel’s Nitzan Prison.
In a statement, the rights group said attorney Nasser Odeh visited Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, on Thursday and found him shackled, escorted by masked prison guards and bearing fresh bruises to his head, face, ears and neck.
According to the lawyer’s affidavit, Abu Safiya struggled to breathe and speak, appeared extremely weak and seemed close to losing consciousness several times during the visit. Odeh said he believed his client was in immediate danger.
According to the affidavit, Abu Safiya said prison guards beat him with a hammer and batons after a June 10 hearing before Israel’s Supreme Court on his appeal against the extension of his detention.
Odeh also alleged he has been beaten daily since being transferred to the Rakefet facility on June 24, has lost consciousness several times and has not received adequate medical treatment. According to the affidavit, Abu Safiya told his lawyer: “This is the last time you will see me. They brought me here to kill me.”
Following the visit, Odeh said he asked the Israel Prison Service to transfer Abu Safiya to another detention facility and provide urgent medical care. Physicians for Human Rights – Israel said it also appealed to Israeli authorities to allow an independent medical examination and an immediate visit by an official outside the prison service.
Responding to a request for comment, the prison service said it operates in accordance with the law and examines all complaints under established procedures.
Abu Safiya has been held in solitary confinement since June, following his Supreme Court appeal. Along with 13 other doctors Israel has imprisoned, he has been held without charge. Like all Gaza detainees, Abu Safiya is classified as an illegal combatant, and his detention is extended every six months.











