A United Nations inquiry has called for the immediate release of prominent Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, who has been detained by Israel, saying reports of his treatment in custody raise serious concerns about possible violations of international law.
Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, was detained by the Israeli military in December 2024 and remains in custody without charge.
Rights groups and his lawyer have warned that his health is deteriorating. According to Physicians for Human Rights Israel, an Israeli human rights organisation, Abu Safiya's life is in imminent danger.
In a statement on Wednesday, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, said it was deeply concerned by reports of abuse.
"The actions of the Israeli Prison Service guards towards Palestinian detainees raise grave concerns of violations of international law that likely amount to international crimes. Dr. Abu Safiya's medical condition is the direct result of these actions."
An Israeli Prison Service (IPS) spokesperson denied the claims.
"The allegations and characterisations described are false, outrageous, and entirely without factual basis."
While the spokesperson did not mention Abu Safiya by name, the IPS has previously rejected allegations that he and other detained medical workers have been mistreated.
On Monday, Abu Safiya's lawyer said his client's health was at risk and alleged he was subjected to abuse on a daily basis.
The lawyer also said Abu Safiya appeared noticeably thinner when he attended a hearing before Israel's Supreme Court by video link in June.
The UN inquiry said the reported treatment of Abu Safiya reflected a broader pattern of alleged violations by Israeli authorities that it had identified in previous investigations.
In September 2025, the commission accused Israel of committing genocide by targeting Gaza's healthcare system and medical professionals since the start of the war in October 2023. Israel rejected the accusation, calling it "scandalous".
Israel has repeatedly accused the commission of political bias and has refused to cooperate with its investigations.
On Monday, a separate UN body, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, also called for Abu Safiya's immediate release. It said his detention was arbitrary and violated multiple provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
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