Over 160 Gazan Medics Imprisoned in Israel: Alarming Reports of Torture Surface

In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the plight of healthcare workers has come to the forefront, with at least 160 medical professionals, including over 20 doctors, reportedly detained by Israeli authorities. This alarming situation has raised serious concerns regarding their wellbeing and safety, as expressed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to Healthcare Workers Watch (HWW), a Palestinian medical NGO, the number of medical staff still in Israeli detention stands at 162. This includes some of Gaza’s most senior healthcare professionals. Furthermore, an additional 24 workers are currently unaccounted for after being taken from hospitals during the ongoing conflict, as reported by The Guardian.

Muath Alser, the director of HWW, emphasized the illegality of detaining large numbers of healthcare workers under international law. He stated that such actions exacerbate civilian suffering by depriving them of essential medical expertise and care. He remarked, “Israel’s targeting of the healthcare workforce in this manner is having a devastating impact on the provision of healthcare to Palestinians, with extensive suffering, countless preventable deaths, and the effective eradication of whole medical specialties.”

The WHO has verified that 297 healthcare workers from Gaza have been detained by the Israeli military since the war began. However, the organization has not provided updated information regarding how many have been released or remain in custody. HWW claims that its data reveals a higher figure, confirming that 339 healthcare workers have been detained.

The WHO has voiced its deep concern regarding the wellbeing and safety of Palestinian health workers in Israeli detention. Reports have emerged indicating that detainees in Israeli prison facilities are often subjected to violence and mistreatment.

A lawyer representing Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan hospital, mentioned that he recently visited Abu Safiya in Ofer Prison, Ramallah. During this visit, Abu Safiya alleged that he had been tortured, beaten, and denied medical treatment.

Both The Guardian and the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) have gathered testimonies from seven senior doctors. They reported being taken from hospitals, ambulances, and checkpoints in Gaza, illegally transferred across the border into Israeli-run prisons, and subjected to months of torture, beatings, starvation, and inhumane treatment before being released without charges.

Dr. Mohammed Abu Selmia, director of al-Shifa hospital, who endured seven months in Israeli detention, recounted his experiences, stating, “Frankly, no matter how much I talk about what I experienced in detention, it is only a fraction of what truly happened.” He described horrific conditions, including being beaten with rifle butts, attacked by dogs, and the absence of basic necessities like food, hygiene products, and proper sanitation.

In response to these distressing accounts, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, condemned the ongoing detention of medical personnel and expressed deep concern for their welfare. He stated, “Health workers, facilities they work in, and patients they care for must never be targets. In fact, under international humanitarian law, they should be actively protected.”

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has also urged Israel to release medical staff held arbitrarily and called for an end to practices akin to enforced disappearances and torture. UNOCHA has previously noted that the large-scale detention of healthcare workers contributes significantly to the collapse of the healthcare system in Gaza.

Ajith Sunghay, head of the office for the occupied Palestinian territory at UNOCHA, emphasized the need for accountability regarding those responsible for crimes under international law. He reiterated that under the Geneva Conventions, doctors should be protected and allowed to provide medical care during conflicts.

Tragically, two of Gaza’s most senior doctors—Dr. Iyad al-Rantisi, a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at Kamal Adwan hospital, and Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, head of the orthopedic department at al-Shifa hospital—are confirmed to have died while in detention.

• Current Situation: 160 healthcare workers, including over 20 doctors, are detained.
• Reports of Violence: Detainees face torture and mistreatment.
• WHO’s Concern: The organization is deeply worried about the safety of health workers.
• International Law Violations: Targeting healthcare personnel is illegal under international law.
• Call for Action: UNOCHA urges the immediate release of detained medical staff.

The ongoing situation emphasizes the dire need for a resolution that ensures the protection of healthcare workers and the delivery of necessary medical care to those in need. The international community continues to monitor this critical issue, advocating for the rights and safety of medical professionals caught in the conflict.