Gaza chief doctor's life 'in danger' after Israeli abduction

Safiya, who was in charge of the last operational hospital in north Gaza, is allegedly being held at Israel's infamous Sde Teiman prison, where rape, torture, and murder are commonplace.

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has been informed that the doctor's condition has worsened since his arrest.

"Euro-Med Monitor warns of the grave risk to [Safiya's] life, following patterns of deliberate killings and deaths under torture previously suffered by other doctors and medical staff," the Geneva-based NGO said. 

Testimonies gathered by the group indicate that Abu Safiya has endured abuse after Israeli forces stormed the bombed-out Kamal Adwan Hospital.

Examples of these abusive acts include being ordered to strip off his clothing and being physically assaulted and whipped with a thick wire. 

According to the NGO, he was humiliated in front of other prisoners and moved to multiple different places before being detained in Sde Teiman.

Israel says it has 'no indication' of Abu Safiya's arrest, even though rights groups and the mainstream media have linked his whereabouts to Sde Teiman. This is true even though his arrest was confirmed last week in an earlier announcement.

Euro-Med Monitor has warned of the "severe implications of Israel’s denial of Dr. Abu Safiya’s detention", adding that this reflects a "blatant disregard for binding legal standards."