Kate Flannery

*Danger to the life of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Please share as much as possible!* New information received from Adv. Nasser Odeh, the attorney for Dr. Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, who visited Dr. Abu Safiya at the "Rakefet" underground detention facility at Nitzan Prison, indicates a severe deterioration in his condition, to the point of an immediate threat to his life. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and his attorney are demanding his immediate transfer from the facility and an urgent visit by a judge to assess his condition firsthand—before it is too late. Following new information received from a visit conducted by Adv. Nasser Odeh on July 2nd at the "Rakefet" facility in Nitzan Prison: According to Adv. Odeh's affidavit, Dr. Abu Safiya arrived at the visit handcuffed and shackled, accompanied by masked prison guards. Fresh and severe injuries were visible on his head, around his eyes, on his ears, and on his neck, to the extent that his attorney had difficulty recognizing him. During the visit, Dr. Abu Safiya struggled to breathe and speak continuously; he appeared extremely weak, had difficulty sitting without falling over, and on several occasions leaned backward in a manner that raised concerns that he was about to lose consciousness. According to Adv. Odeh, he appeared terrified and in severe distress, and struggled to express himself for fear of retaliation. It is the attorney's direct and immediate impression that Dr. Abu Safiya is in immediate danger of death. Dr. Abu Safiya told his attorney that shortly after the hearing (on June 10, 2026) regarding his appeal to the Supreme Court against the extension of his detention order, while he was held in isolation at Ganot Prison, four or five prison guards entered his cell and beat him all over his body, according to him with a hammer and batons. He added that since his transfer on June 24, 2026, to the "Rakefet" facility, he has been subjected to violence and beatings on a daily basis, and has lost consciousness several times, all without receiving adequate medical treatment. He told his attorney that he fears for his life, stating: "This is the last time you will see me... They brought me here to kill me. I am not imagining it. I see it. This is the end." Following the visit, Adv. Odeh urgently contacted the Israel Prison Service (IPS) demanding an end to the abuse of Dr. Abu Safiya, his immediate transfer to another detention facility, and that he be granted urgent medical examination and treatment due to the real concern for his life. Furthermore, Physicians for Human Rights has urgently appealed to the Attorney General, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the Chair of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, the National Public Defender, and the Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service, demanding an immediate visit to Dr. Abu Safiya by an official entity outside the IPS, and to allow him an independent medical examination, due to the serious concern for his life. Despite the High Court of Justice ruling this June against his release, Physicians for Human Rights reiterates its demand to release Dr. Abu Safiya and all other doctors held without charges or trial. It should be noted that the "Rakefet" facility is an underground interrogation and detention facility at Nitzan Prison, regarding which severe testimonies and allegations of violence and abuse against detainees have been published in the past. Physicians for Human Rights Israel warns that given Dr. Abu Safiya's health condition and the information provided by his attorney, any delay in intervention could put his life in real danger. *Danger to life.* *He must be removed from there! Today.* (Translation from Hebrew by Gemini)