Israeli military abducts Gaza hospital director in prison where rape and torture occur

Dr Hussam Abu Safiyeh, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, is reportedly being detained by the Israeli army in Sde Teiman prison, according to Israeli Channel 24.

An Israeli army spokesperson alleged that Dr Abu Safiyeh is under Shin Bet investigation for purported connections to Hamas, though no concrete evidence has been presented.

Sde Teiman, a notorious military prison located in the Negev Desert, roughly 30 kilometres from Gaza near Beersheba, was established following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. The facility has since been used to hold abducted Palestinians, including children, elderly individuals, and others rounded up during the Israeli onslaught.

Human rights groups and media outlets have reported egregious violations at Sde Teiman, where detainees are subjected to brutal torture and degrading treatment including reports of rape.

Such practices have drawn widespread condemnation as evidence of Israel’s disregard for international human rights norms.