Israeli Supreme Court rejects release petition for 14 Gaza doctors

Overview

Updated 40 minutes ago

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has been held in Israeli detention since December 2024. Physicians for Human Rights Israel said on November 11, 2026, that Israel's Supreme Court had rejected its petition to release him and 13 other Gaza doctors, leaving all 14 in detention without charge or trial.

A separate ruling from the Lod District Court had denied Abu Safiya an independent medical examination and second opinion. Israel says prison doctors monitor his health and that no grounds justify release. Physicians for Human Rights Israel says an outside review of his records found unexplained weight loss, injuries and gaps that require independent examination.

Why it matters

The rulings leave courts as the main check on detaining Gaza's doctors without trial, while independent medical verification remains with prison authorities.

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Key Indicators

Gaza doctors in release petition

Doctors whose release petition the Israeli Supreme Court dismissed on November 11, 2026.

330

Medical personnel arrested since October 2023

Figure released in July 2026, according to Palestinian sources cited by Al Jazeera and Palinfo.

1,700

Healthcare workers killed since October 2023

July 2026 figure cited by Palestinian sources.

76 kg

Abu Safiya's recorded weight in May 2025

Down from 90 kg in January 2025, according to prison records reviewed by Dr. Amit Tirosh.

At least 103

Palestinian prisoners who died in Israeli custody

Figure includes five medical workers, according to Physicians for Human Rights Israel.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Hussam Abu Safiya

Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza

Detained without charge since December 2024; denied an independent medical exam

Naji Abbas

Official at Physicians for Human Rights Israel

Active; urging the military chief to revoke the doctors' detention orders

Amit Tirosh

Israeli specialist in internal medicine and endocrinology

Reviewed Abu Safiya's prison medical records; not permitted to examine him in person

Organizations Involved

Physicians for Human Rights Israel

Rights group

Petitioned Israel's Supreme Court for the doctors' release and challenged the denial of Abu Safiya's independent exam

Rights group that petitioned Israel's Supreme Court for the doctors' release and challenged the denial of Abu Safiya's independent exam.

Israeli Supreme Court

Court

Dismissed the petition to release 14 Gaza doctors

Israel's highest court, which dismissed the petition to release the 14 doctors.

Lod District Court

Court

Denied Abu Safiya an independent medical examination in October 2026

District court that denied Abu Safiya an independent medical examination and second opinion in October 2026.

Israel Prison Service

Government agency

Holds Abu Safiya at Rakefet and controls access to his medical records

Agency that holds Abu Safiya and controls access to his medical records.

Kamal Adwan Hospital

Hospital

Northern Gaza hospital where Abu Safiya worked as director before his detention

Northern Gaza hospital where Abu Safiya worked as director before his detention.

Timeline

October 2023 November 2026

9 events Latest: Yesterday

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Supreme Court rejects release petition for 14 doctors
Latest Legal

Court finds no grounds to intervene in the military chief's detention orders.
Yesterday
Rights group challenges Abu Safiya medical account
Statement

Dr. Amit Tirosh review finds unexplained weight loss, injuries and record gaps.
Yesterday
October 2026
Lod court denies independent exam
Legal

Court cites prison medical care and state assurances on Abu Safiya's health.
October 2026
July 2026
Prison exam records injuries
Health

Bruising around the left eye, dizziness and rib pain documented.
July 5th, 2026
June 2026
Abu Safiya moved to Rakefet detention facility
Detention

Held in isolation for a period, then with one other prisoner.
June 2026
May 2025
Abu Safiya's weight falls to 76 kg
Health

Prison records reviewed by Dr. Amit Tirosh show a 14 kg drop.
May 2025
January 2025
Prison record lists Abu Safiya at 90 kg
Health

Weight recorded before a decline to 76 kg by May 2025.
January 2025
December 2024
Abu Safiya detained
Detention

Israeli forces detain the Kamal Adwan Hospital director without charge.
December 2024
October 2023
War in Gaza begins
Conflict

Since October 2023, about 1,700 healthcare workers have been killed and 330 arrested, according to July 2026 figures.
October 7th, 2023

Scenarios

Israel releases some detained Gaza doctors under ceasefire review

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Physicians for Human Rights Israel and Palestinian rights groups

Israel's military chief of staff can revoke detention orders under the Unlawful Combatants Law. Physicians for Human Rights Israel is pressing for that step, citing the ceasefire and Gaza's shortage of doctors. The Supreme Court declined to order release, so any change would come from the military or government, not the court.

Israeli court orders independent medical exam for Abu Safiya

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Physicians for Human Rights Israel and Dr. Amit Tirosh

The Lod District Court denied the request in October 2026, and the Supreme Court cited that ruling. A new petition would need to overcome the state's assurances and the court's deference to prison medical staff. Tirosh's review gives the rights group specific findings to argue that the record is incomplete.

Detention continues without charge through 2027

Likely Resolves by Nov 11, 2027

Discussed by: Israeli state position and court rulings

The Supreme Court found no grounds to intervene in the military chief's detention orders. The state says it reviews cases in light of changing circumstances but sees no exceptional grounds for release. Without a new legal challenge or policy change, the 14 doctors remain held.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2023-2024

Deaths of Gaza doctors in Israeli custody (2023-2024)

Three Gaza doctors, Adnan al-Bursh, Iyad al-Rantisi and Ziad al-Dalu, died in Israeli detention, according to Palestinian sources cited by Al Jazeera. Reports described torture and medical neglect.

Then

Their deaths became part of rights groups' challenges to detentions.

Now

They are cited as evidence that prison medical oversight is inadequate.

Why this matters now

Abu Safiya's case turns on whether prison medical records can be trusted without independent review.

August 1971

Northern Ireland internment (1971)

British troops arrested hundreds of mostly Catholic men without trial in Operation Demetrius. Courts largely deferred to the government on security grounds.

Then

Violence escalated and internment deepened nationalist anger.

Now

The policy was phased out by 1975, and the European Court of Human Rights later found the UK violated the convention.

Why this matters now

Shows courts often decline to second-guess security detention, even when it lasts years.

2002-present

Guantanamo Bay medical review disputes (2002-present)

The US held detainees without trial at Guantanamo Bay. Independent medical exams were limited, and courts often deferred to military judgments on health and security.

Then

Detention continued for years despite legal challenges.

Now

Supreme Court rulings allowed habeas petitions but did not close the facility.

Why this matters now

Courts may accept government medical assurances, just as Israel's Supreme Court did for Abu Safiya.