Dr Hussam Abu Safiya was arbitrarily detained more than 450 days ago after Israeli forces raided Kamal Adwan Hospital, then the last functioning major hospital in North Gaza, along with other medical staff and patients. Email Foreign Minister Wong to act now.
For months, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya had been one of the most prominent voices documenting Israel’s destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system, while continuing to care for patients under siege and genocide. He continued his work even after one of his sons was killed in October 2024.
His case reflects a wider pattern of abuse against Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, including documented torture, the denial of fair trials and the deprivation of basic human rights. This is not an isolated incident, but the systematic targeting of Palestinian healthcare workers and the decimation of Gaza’s healthcare system.
Australia cannot free Dr Hussam Abu Safiya on its own. But the Australian government can use its diplomatic voice and influence. Foreign Minister Penny Wong should urgently raise his case and call for his immediate release.
Email Penny Wong and urge her to:
- publicly call for the immediate release of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya
- raise his case directly with Israeli authorities
- press for immediate access to independent medical care and legal counsel while he remains detained
- work with other governments to demand the protection and release of arbitrarily detained Palestinian healthcare workers
Dr Hussam Abu Safiya should never have been detained for carrying out his medical duties.
