Hussam Abu Safiya: Health workers on X demand release of senior Palestinian doctor

Tuesday, 31 December 2024 6:50 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 31 December 2024 6:55 PM ]

Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, center, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, delivered a video message from his hospital bed on November 24, 2024. (Video screengrab)

Healthcare workers worldwide have launched a social media campaign on X, calling for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safia.

The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital was abducted by Israeli troops on December 27.

The Palestinian doctor is understood to be held in the Sde Tieman military prison, notorious for torture.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), condemned the use of military force against hospitals across Gaza. Kamal Adwan Hospital was one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza.

Hospitals in #Gaza have once again become battlegrounds and the health system is under severe threat.

Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern #Gaza is out of service — following the raid, forced patient and staff evacuation and the detention of its director, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya two…
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 30, 2024

Rupa Marya wanted the health workers worldwide to show their faces.

Healthcare Workers raise your voices and show your faces! Don’t be intimidated by the racists who want you to cower in fear and silence. Engage your courage and speak up! Join us around the world as we rise to call to #freedrhussamabusafiya and #endthegenocide. pic.twitter.com/JTaRpH9BBt
— Rupa Marya, MD (@DrRupaMarya) December 29, 2024

An end to the campaign of genocide undertaken by Israel in Gaza was underscored by Dr. Mohammad ElGhanem.

My name is Dr. Mohammad ElGhanem. I am a Neuroendovascular Surgeon.
I am calling for the immediate release of Dr.Hussam Abu Safiya.
He was abducted by the Israeli forces.
I am calling for protection of hospitals and medical workers in Gaza. And an end to the genocide.… pic.twitter.com/z4oAasyHos
— Mohammad El-Ghanem (@elghanemmoh) December 30, 2024

Eva Mayor, a family doctor, echoed the same demand on X.

My name is Eva Mayor. I am a family doctor.

I am calling for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. He was abducted by the Israeli forces.

I am calling for protection of hospitals and medical workers in Gaza. And an end to the genocide.#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya pic.twitter.com/QjDvI05a7E
— Eva Isaac (@EvaMayorIsaac1) December 31, 2024

The Israeli military confirmed on Monday it had interrogated Abu Safia.

There has been no sign of the Palestinian doctor ever since his abduction.

As a Paediatric Rehabilitation Physician from Sydney, I call on @AlboMP @SenatorWong to demand the immediate release of Paediatrician Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and all other health care workers illegally detained by Israel.#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya #HealthcareIsNotACrime https://t.co/A5yOz06rdi pic.twitter.com/ZPmZbe3vRG
— Safiyyah Abbas (@safmuffin) December 31, 2024

Family doctor Yipeng Ge was another health worker expressing concern about the situation of Abu Safia and calling for his release.

My name is Dr. Yipeng Ge. I am a family doctor.

I am calling for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. He was abducted by the Israeli forces.

I am calling for protection of hospitals and medical workers in Gaza. And an end to the genocide.#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya https://t.co/AsOvkT4U55 pic.twitter.com/vPM9FLbAOp
— Yipeng Ge 葛义朋 (@yipengGe) December 30, 2024

According to the UN Human Rights office, since October 2023, there have been at least 136 strikes on 27 hospitals and 12 medical facilities in Gaza, leaving a significant number of casualties among doctors, nurses, medics and civilians.

My name is Dr. Kavita Algu. I am a palliative care physician.

I call for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and his colleagues. He was abducted by Israeli forces.

I am calling for protection of hospitals and medical workers in Gaza, and an end to the genocide.… https://t.co/YeA5rWTwFB pic.twitter.com/NpwZVmDbti
— Kavita Algu (@KavitaAlguMD) December 31, 2024

Dr. Leigh Kimberg declared that she and the institution she works for will not be silenced.

My name is Dr. Leigh Kimberg. I am a primary care MD in SF & Professor of Medicine @UCSF —an institution that tries to silence its anti-genocide students, staff, & faculty.

We won’t be silenced. #FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya #FreePalestine

See @docstopgenocide for more information https://t.co/KFPUu6blrC pic.twitter.com/Xe6VdWFKJv
— Leigh Kimberg (@LeighKimberg) December 31, 2024

My name is Piet Hoebeke. I am a medical doctor.

I am calling for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. He was abducted by the Israeli forces.

I am calling for protection of hospitals and medical workers in Gaza. And an end to the genocide.#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya pic.twitter.com/HJyXLjwhCp
— Piet Hoebeke (@HoebekePiet) December 31, 2024

UN human rights chief Volker Turk has said Gaza's hospitals have become a "death trap." He has called for the release of all medical workers and the protection of hospitals.

Turk also urged independent and credible investigations into hospital-related incidents.

My name is Dr. Diana Toubassi. I am a family physician.

I call for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. He was abducted by Israeli forces.

I am calling for protection of hospitals and medical workers in Gaza. And an end to the genocide.#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya https://t.co/EHmSAqj6V6
— Diana Toubassi (@DianaToubassi) December 31, 2024

Neena Jha was another family doctor putting her demand for the release of Abu Safiya on X.

My name is Dr. Neena Jha. I am a family doctor.

I am calling for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. He was abducted by the Israeli forces.

I am calling for protection of hospitals and medical workers in Gaza. And an end to the genocide.#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya https://t.co/HVAonQxgna
— Neena Jha (@DrNeenaJha) December 30, 2024

I am Dr K. Alwedyan. I am an oral surgeon. I am calling for the immediate release of Dr Hussam AbuSafiya.
It is disgraceful to see the medical organisations turning blind eyes and deaf ears for the war crimes committed against the medical professionals. #FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya https://t.co/HFhztRFG4Y pic.twitter.com/8Urqkrsz1l
— Khozama (@khozamaalwedyan) December 31, 2024

International humanitarian agencies say the Israeli attacks on hospitals, ambulances, and health care personnel are a key tactic in the genocidal campaign in Gaza.

My name is Dr. Amina Chaudhry. I’m an Internal Medicine doctor. I am calling for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. He was abducted by Israeli forces. I am calling for protection of hospitals & health workers in Gaza. And an end to the genocide#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya https://t.co/yuZPHfxq1I pic.twitter.com/zTLPdOmQZU
— Amina Chaudhry 🇵🇸❤️🖤🤍💚 (@aminachaud) December 31, 2024

🚩My name is Laia Riera
I am a family doctor. Barcelona, Spain 🇪🇸
I am calling for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, abducted by the @IDF #FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya
I am also calling Israel 🇮🇱💀 to #Endgenocide and #ceasefire NOW. 🇵🇸🩸 pic.twitter.com/iiw5J5yGr8
— HW4PALESTINE SPAIN (HW4PS) (@HW4PalestSpain) December 31, 2024

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