A prominent Palestinian doctor detained by Israel for more than 500 days appeared by video link before Israel's Supreme Court on Wednesday (11 June), marking the first time he has been seen publicly since February, according to rights groups.
Hussam Abu Safiya, who was detained by Israeli forces at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza in late 2024, appeared noticeably thinner during the hearing. Media were briefly allowed into the courtroom in Jerusalem before being asked to leave as proceedings began.
The court was hearing an appeal filed by Abu Safiya's lawyer, Nasser Odeh, challenging his continued detention. A decision was expected later on Wednesday.
According to Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), Abu Safiya has been held without charge since his arrest.
Abu Safiya's appearance renewed concerns about his condition in detention.
His brother, Muafaq Abu Safiya, said in April that the family had learned through his lawyer that he had lost 40 kilograms and suffered four fractured ribs, along with other health problems.
PHRI has said Abu Safiya is among a group of detained Gazan doctors who have been denied adequate food while in Israeli custody.
Israel's Prison Service has rejected those allegations.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Odeh said his client remained handcuffed and shackled throughout the proceedings and was being held in solitary confinement.
He added that Abu Safiya was receiving medical treatment, including medication for severe neck and back pain, which he said resulted from an assault during detention, as well as treatment for a chronic illness.
Odeh also said Abu Safiya's eyeglasses had been confiscated, leaving him with impaired vision, and that his hands showed signs of a skin condition that he said was common among Palestinian prisoners.
Israel's Prison Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest allegations regarding his treatment.
The Israeli military detained Abu Safiya at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, during its military operations in the territory.
Israel has accused him of being a member of Hamas but has not publicly provided verifiable evidence to support the claim.
Gaza's Health Ministry and Hamas have both denied the allegation.
During the court hearing, Abu Safiya could be seen wearing a white T-shirt and grey tracksuit trousers, clothing commonly worn by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Abu Safiya is one of 14 Palestinian doctors from Gaza who have been held by Israel for more than a year without charge, according to PHRI.
In April, the rights group called for their release, alleging that the doctors had been denied adequate medical care and food and had been subjected to physical abuse while in detention.
Israel's Prison Service rejected those claims at the time.
PHRI says the 14 doctors are among nearly 400 Palestinian healthcare workers detained by Israel during its military campaign in Gaza, launched after Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel.
For Abu Safiya's family, Wednesday's hearing offered a rare glimpse of a man they had not seen in public for months. However, it also deepened concerns about his health and the conditions under which he is being held as the legal battle over his detention continues.
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