The Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, has revealed details of a conversation he had with Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, just one day before the latter’s arrest by Israeli forces.
In an interview, Dr. Abu Salmiya stated that Dr. Abu Safiya, whose arrest occurred a year ago, conveyed a grim picture of the situation inside Kamal Adwan Hospital. Dr. Abu Safiya reportedly anticipated potential harm and requested that Dr. Abu Salmiya relay the truth about the hospital’s conditions to the world.
According to Dr. Abu Salmiya, he had urged Dr. Abu Safiya to leave the hospital three days prior to his arrest, but Dr. Abu Safiya refused, insisting on remaining at his post.
Dr. Abu Salmiya emphasized that no charges were presented against Dr. Abu Safiya during his arrest, despite three court appearances. He asserted that the detention of doctors and medical personnel is a deliberate tactic employed to cripple the healthcare system, aiming to displace Gaza residents by depriving them of essential medical services.
“What happened to Dr. Abu Safiya is a stain on humanity and the world, who left him alone facing the occupation,” Dr. Abu Salmiya stated. He called upon international medical organizations and unions to boycott their Israeli counterparts and take a firm stance against the treatment of Dr. Abu Safiya.
Expressing concern for Dr. Abu Safiya’s well-being, Dr. Abu Salmiya cited reports from Dr. Abu Safiya’s defense team regarding his deteriorating health and denial of necessary medical treatment. He highlighted instances during the conflict where Israeli forces would inquire about the hospital director and medical staff during raids, questioning the perceived threat posed by Dr. Abu Safiya, who had previously been detained and released during an earlier incursion into Kamal Adwan Hospital.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, was arrested by Israeli forces on December 27, 2024. The arrest sparked widespread condemnation internationally.
