Palestinian Prisoner's Society Voices Concern Over Detained Gaza Hospital Director

RAMALLAH, July 5 (NNN-WAFA) -- The Palestinian Prisoner's Society said on Sunday that the detained director of Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, has been transferred to a prison section known as "Rakefet", the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA) reported.

Palestinian human rights organisations describe the section as a high-security facility, amid growing concerns over his physical and psychological condition.

In a statement, the organisation said Abu Safiya remains detained without formal charges under what Israel refers to as the "Unlawful Combatant Law", expressing concern over his detention conditions and reported health.

The Palestinian Prisoner's Society said the continued detention of medical personnel from the Gaza Strip, including Abu Safiya, forms part of a campaign targeting healthcare workers.

It called on international human rights organisations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations to intervene urgently to ensure their protection and secure their release.

The organisation held Israeli authorities fully responsible for the lives of Abu Safiya, other detained medical personnel and Palestinian prisoners. It also said that states providing political and military support to Israel bear responsibility for the continuation of serious violations of international law.

The statement added that condemnations alone have lost their practical effect in the face of what it described as systematic destruction targeting Palestinian prisoners.

It concluded by citing remarks it said Abu Safiya made to his lawyer: "This is the last time you will see me... They brought me here to kill me. I do not see myself leaving here alive. This is the end."

--NNN-WAFA