Physicians for Human Rights visited Dr. Abu Safia in prison

Since his arrest, Dr. Abu Safia has lost about 25 kg of weight. He suffers from severe scabies and heart problems, but is not receiving any medical treatment. The visit shows that since March he has not been brought before a judge, has not been questioned, and has not received any update on the reason for his arrest.

Dr. Abu Safia spoke of violence by guards during frequent searches of cells. He said that the detainees receive little food, many of them have lost significant weight, and are kept in dirty clothes for months.

He asked to be examined by a doctor, both for scabies and for heart problems from which he suffers, but was denied. He receives regular treatment for high blood pressure, but said that he has not been examined at all by an IPS doctor since his arrest. Since his arrest, he has remained in the same clothes, and only received a new set on the morning of the visit.

Six months have passed since the publication of our report, which documented the arbitrary detention of over a hundred medical staff from Gaza. Since the report, the organization has been able to visit over 25 of them and collect additional evidence of ongoing physical violence, frequent raids on cells, lack of food and medical care, and being kept in dirty clothes for months. All detainees are being held without charge, some for over a year – in violation of due process and in serious violation of the right to health of Gaza residents.

We demand the immediate release of all medical workers illegally detained in Israel. Their continued detention does not serve true justice but violates the right to health of the Palestinian people. The international community must act urgently to secure their release, protect their dignity, and allow them to return to provide care to the many who desperately need them.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel