Israel Supreme Court Upholds Detention of Gaza Pediatrician

Israel's Supreme Court has upheld the continued detention of a prominent Gaza pediatrician, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, rejecting an appeal for his release. The court ruled on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, that the doctor must remain imprisoned without formal charges under Israel's Unlawful Combatant Law. The decision was based on confidential intelligence materials not disclosed to Abu Safiya or his legal team.

Dr. Abu Safiya, the 53-year-old director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has been in Israeli custody since his arrest on December 27, 2024. Israeli authorities allege he is affiliated with Hamas and holds a rank in the organization's medical division, claims that have been denied by the Gaza Health Ministry, Hamas, and several human rights groups. No criminal charges have been filed against him in the 17 months since his detention began.

The ruling has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights organizations. Physicians for Human Rights Israel described the decision as a profound moral and legal failure, stating that judicial reviews for Palestinian detainees from Gaza have become a procedural formality. The group and other advocates argue that no credible public evidence...