MSF urges Israel to free detained Palestinian medical staff

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it is “outraged” by Israel’s detention of Palestinian healthcare workers and called for their immediate, unconditional release. The charity highlighted that more than 50 medical personnel – including 15 doctors – are being held in harsh conditions, with 446 workers detained since the Gaza conflict began on 7 October 2023 and six reported dead. MSF singled out Dr Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, who has been in solitary confinement since December 2024 and is alleged to have been tortured. The organization also demanded the release of orthopaedic surgeon Dr Mohammed Obeid, imprisoned for over 600 days without family contact. UN investigative bodies and rights experts have also called for their freedom. MSF warned that silence on these arrests makes the international community complicit and urged that detainees receive adequate medical care and dignified conditions while awaiting release. Around 50 activists gathered outside France’s foreign ministry in Paris to echo the appeal.