The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) has launched an international campaign, titled Hands-off-Doctors, calling for an end to the systematic targeting of Gaza’s medical sector by Israeli forces and advocating for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, along with other detained medical professionals.

The Systematic Targeting of Gaza’s Medical Sector

The ongoing Israeli aggression has extended beyond individuals to the systematic destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. Since October 2023, the following alarming statistics highlight the extent of the damage:

Moreover, partially operational hospitals are functioning with only 1,822 beds, far below the needs of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents. The destruction has resulted in a catastrophic inability to provide adequate care for hundreds of thousands of injured and chronically ill patients.

Medical professionals have also been systematically targeted:

International law unequivocally condemns attacks on medical facilities and personnel, recognizing them as war crimes under the Geneva Conventions. Such actions violate the fundamental principles of humanitarian law, which seek to protect healthcare workers and ensure the provision of medical aid in times of conflict. These violations demand urgent international intervention to hold perpetrators accountable.

The Case of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and Other Detained Medics

Dr. Abu Safiya was arrested in late December 2023 under alarming circumstances. Credible reports indicate that he has been subjected to severe torture and inhumane treatment, leading to significant health deterioration.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that Dr. Abu Safiya was violently assaulted near Kamal Adwan Hospital, targeted with sound bombs, and whipped with electrical wires during interrogation at the Al-Fakhura area in Jabalia Refugee Camp. He was later transferred to the Sde Teyman military base in southern Israel, where his condition further worsened.

Before his arrest, Israeli forces set Kamal Adwan Hospital on fire, causing the facility to go out of service. Around 350 individuals, including hospital staff and nearby civilians, were detained during this operation. The destruction and arrests left the hospital—a vital lifeline for northern Gaza—incapacitated and unable to provide critical medical care.

Tragically, Dr. Abu Safiya’s mother passed away just days after his detention, reportedly due to a heart attack. Her death adds another layer of suffering to his family’s ordeal, as they face the ongoing uncertainty of his fate under Israeli custody.

PRC has documented similar cases of arrests and ill-treatment of medical personnel in Gaza since October 2023. These actions have left the medical community in a state of fear and severely disrupted essential healthcare services. Many detained professionals, including doctors and nurses, have faced physical and psychological abuse, with some subjected to enforced disappearances.

PRC’s Call to Action

PRC urges the international community to take immediate action to:

This campaign includes a comprehensive action plan targeting the British and European political levels, as well as initiatives within the corridors of the United Nations. PRC also calls on all influential stakeholders and human rights organizations to join this campaign and concentrate efforts to rescue Gaza’s medical sector before a full-scale disaster becomes an irreversible reality.

Collaborative action is essential to safeguard the healthcare system and ensure the safety and dignity of medical professionals serving in one of the world’s most challenging environments.

The Hands-off-Doctors campaign reflects commitment to defending human rights and advocating for justice and accountability.