A lawyer representing Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya says his client is in critical condition after approximately 18 months in Israeli detention.

Abu Safiya, the former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, became widely known during the Israel-Hamas war for leading the hospital through an 85-day Israeli military siege and publicly appealing for international assistance.He was arrested by Israeli forces in December 2024 and has not been formally charged.

Israeli authorities have stated that he is under investigation on suspicion of cooperating with or working for Hamas, allegations that his colleagues and international humanitarian organizations deny.

According to attorney Nasser Odeh and Physicians for Human Rights Israel, a July 2 prison visit revealed that Abu Safiya appeared extremely weak, had difficulty sitting upright, struggled to breathe, and displayed recent injuries around his eyes, ears, and neck.

They also allege that he has been subjected to prolonged solitary confinement along with physical and psychological abuse, prompting legal efforts to have him transferred to another detention facility.

During a recent hearing before Israel's Supreme Court challenging his continued detention without charge, Abu Safiya appeared by video looking pale, thin, and bearing marks on his arms.

Israel's Prison Service rejected all allegations of abuse, torture, starvation, or denial of medical care, stating that detainees are held according to Israeli law and receive treatment based on Health Ministry guidelines.

The case comes amid broader international criticism from human rights organizations and the United Nations regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees since the war began in October 2023.