A prominent Palestinian doctor captured by the Israeli military in Gaza in late 2024 and held in detention ever since appeared by video link at a High Court of Justice hearing in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Hussam Abu Safiya appeared in the video to have lost weight since being captured at a Gaza hospital. The media were briefly allowed into the courtroom before being ushered out as proceedings got underway.
Abu Safiya's brother, Muafaq, said in April that the family learned through his lawyer that he had lost 40 kg. (88 lb.) in prison and suffered four fractured ribs and other ailments. An Israeli rights group has said Abu Safiya is among a group of Gazan doctors held by Israel who have been denied adequate food.
The Israel Prison Service has denied those allegations.
The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal from Abu Safiya's lawyer, Nasser Odeh, challenging his detention. The court is expected to announce its decision later on Wednesday.
Abu Safiya has been held without charge, according to the Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), an Israeli rights group, for more than 500 days. His appearance before the court on Wednesday, by video link, was the first time he has been seen publicly since February 2025, the group said in a statement.
IDF does not provide evidence for Hamas accusation
Abu Safiya was captured by the IDF from the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, and is accused of being a member of Hamas.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry and Hamas have denied the allegation.
Following the hearing on Wednesday, Odeh told reporters his client was handcuffed and shackled throughout the proceedings and said he was being held in solitary confinement.
Odeh also claimed that Abu Safiya was not receiving medical treatment, including for what he described as severe neck and back pain caused by an assault during detention, or medications for what he said was needed to treat a chronic illness.
Abu Safiya also had his eyeglasses confiscated and was experiencing vision problems as a result, and his hands were showing signs of skin disease, which Odeh said was widespread among Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
IPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Abu Safiya's treatment in detention.
Palestinian doctors denied medical care, food, rights group says
During the hearing, Abu Safiya could be seen handcuffed and wearing a white t-shirt and grey tracksuit pants, clothing commonly worn by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Abu Safiya is among 14 Palestinian doctors captured in Gaza by the IDF and detained for over a year without charge.
PHRI in April called for their release, saying they had been denied adequate medical care and food and subjected to physical abuse while in detention.
IPS at the time said it rejected all allegations that the doctors had been mistreated in prison.