The Israeli Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a petition to release Palestinian pediatrician Dr. Hussam Abu Safieh, who has been held without formal charges since his arrest in Gaza in late 2024.
According to Reuters, Naji Abbas, director of the Prisoners and Detainees Department at Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), stated that the court based its ruling on "secret evidence" withheld from both Abu Safieh and his legal counsel.
"The message this decision sends is clear and unequivocal," Abbas said in a statement. "A doctor can be deprived of his freedom indefinitely without being charged, and without authorities presenting evidence against him in an open hearing."
Defense lawyers and human rights organizations allege that Abu Safieh is being subjected to physical abuse and severe food deprivation in detention—claims the Israeli Prison Service has denied. Appearing via video link at a Supreme Court hearing in Jerusalem last Wednesday, the doctor appeared noticeably emaciated.
PHRI reported that Abu Safieh has been held in solitary confinement for the past 13 days. While the Israeli military alleges that the doctor is affiliated with Hamas, it has provided no public evidence to substantiate the claim. Both the Gaza Health Ministry and Hamas have strongly denied the allegations.
Dr. Abu Safieh gained international prominence in 2023 when he and a handful of medical staff refused Israeli military evacuation orders, choosing to remain behind to care for dozens of newborn babies in critical condition.
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