Palestinian doctor held by Israel subjected to severe torture, lawyer alleges

Tehran: Palestinian doctor and Kamal Adwan Hospital director Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, who is being held in Israeli detention, has been subjected to severe torture, according to fresh allegations. Prison officials have repeatedly beaten him, deprived him of sleep and threatened him against disclosing his experiences in detention to his lawyer, his lawyer Nasser Odeh said.

Odeh visited Abu Safiya on Sunday at the Rakefet detention centre inside Nitzan Prison in central Israel.

Abu Safiya has been detained for months without being charged or put on trial, prompting serious concerns from international human rights organisations and the United Nations over his health. A UN commission of inquiry has also said he has been subjected to continued severe torture in detention.

The latest allegations have emerged as international calls intensify for his immediate release and access to medical treatment.

Abu Safiya has reportedly been punched and kicked, while being beaten with batons on various parts of his body, including private and highly sensitive areas. His sleep is allegedly deliberately disrupted throughout the night using loudspeakers and other forms of noise.

Human rights organisations and Abu Safiya's family had previously alleged that he was being subjected to systematic abuse.

His lawyer has also warned that Abu Safiya, who is being held in solitary confinement, faces daily violence and beatings.

Israel's military arrested Abu Safiya following a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital. The hospital was subsequently destroyed by the Israeli military.

Last month, the director-general of Gaza's Health Ministry also called for urgent intervention to save the detained doctor's life.