The Israeli Supreme Court on June 16, 2026, denied an appeal to free Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a prominent Palestinian doctor detained without charge since late December 2024 [1, 2, 3]. Abu Safiya directs Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital and has been held under Israel’s "unlawful combatant" law for over 18 months [1, 2, 3].

The court's decision relied on confidential evidence not shared with Abu Safiya or his lawyers, according to court statements [1, 3]. Abu Safiya appeared at a June 10 hearing via video link, visibly thinner, highlighting concerns over his health [1, 3]. For the 13 days before the ruling, he had been held in solitary confinement [1, 2, 3].

Israeli military officials accuse Abu Safiya of Hamas membership, though no public evidence has been presented, and both the Gaza Health Ministry and Hamas deny the allegation [1, 3]. Human rights groups and legal teams report that Abu Safiya has suffered assault, insufficient food, medical neglect, weight loss, and skin infections during detention [1, 2, 3]. Israel's prison service denies any abuse [1, 3].

Abu Safiya earned respect in 2023 when he defied Israeli military orders to evacuate newborn infants from Kamal Adwan Hospital [1, 3]. He is one of at least 14 Palestinian doctors from Gaza held without charge for over a year [1, 3].

Naji Abbas, director of the Palestinian Human Rights Institute’s Prisoners Department, said the decision signals that "a medical professional can be deprived of his liberty indefinitely without being charged and without the authorities presenting evidence against him in open court" [1]. Abu Safiya’s attorney, Nasser Odeh, called the ruling a violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions, noting Abu Safiya remains in solitary confinement at Nafha prison under harsh conditions without adequate medical care [2].

Around 9,500 Palestinians remain detained in Israeli prisons, where reports of torture, starvation, and medical neglect have led to deaths [2]. Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, nearly 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 173,000 injured, mostly women and children, according to Palestinian figures [2].

Abu Safiya was first detained on December 27, 2024, when Israeli forces stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza [2]. The Supreme Court’s rejection today allows for his continued detention without charge.