Israeli Human Rights Group Files Supreme Court Petition for Release of 14 Gaza Doctors
Daniel Tari
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has petitioned the Supreme Court for the release of 14 Palestinian doctors held without charge for over a year. The group warns the detentions cripple efforts to rebuild Gaza's devastated healthcare system. One detainee, Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, has reportedly lost 40 kg and suffered severe injuries in custody.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI) filed a petition with Israel's Supreme Court on April 3, demanding the immediate release of 14 Palestinian doctors detained in Gaza. The doctors, including specialists in pediatrics, orthopedics, and surgery, have been held without charge for more than a year. PHRI stated the petition was filed after Israel's Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, failed to respond to the request for their release.
According to PHRI, the continued detention of the doctors is hindering efforts to rebuild Gaza's shattered healthcare system. The organization called on the international community to show solidarity and press for their release.
One of the detainees is Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital. He was arrested in December 2024 when Israeli forces raided the hospital, which was then the only functioning medical facility in northern Gaza. He has been held for nearly 18 months without charge.
His brother, Muafaq Abu Safia, said through a lawyer that in prison, Dr. Hussam had lost 40 kg (88 lb), suffered four broken ribs, and developed various other ailments. "All the crimes the occupation [Israel] committed against him are because he refused to leave the hospital and his patients," Muafaq said.
United Nations experts have warned that Dr. Safia has been subjected to severe torture. Amnesty International argued that his detention is part of an Israeli campaign to destroy Gaza's healthcare system and render Palestinian society unviable.
Aid groups warn that Gaza faces a severe shortage of medical supplies due to Israeli blockade measures. Plastic surgeon Victoria Rose, who visited Gaza multiple times from March 2024 to June 2025, described conditions there as "unimaginable." "During the height of the war, conditions were completely different. The worst period was May and June 2025. We were completely blockaded from fuel, water, and food. We had only two types of antibiotics. Patients came in overwhelming numbers," Dr. Rose said.
Israel has denied allegations of deliberately targeting medical workers in Gaza and accused Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes, but has provided no credible evidence to support those claims.
