State Asks High Court to Reject Bid to Free Abu Safiya and 13 Gaza Doctors

Israel asked the High Court of Justice Tuesday to dismiss a Physicians for Human Rights Israel petition seeking release of 14 Palestinian doctors from Gaza held under the Unlawful Combatants Law, including Kamal Adwan Hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya. State attorneys said each detention order rests on individualized classified security intelligence reviewed by authorized officials and that periodic reviews continue to confirm the legal grounds, noting that some Gaza detainees have already been released when the grounds no longer applied. Abu Safiya was examined by medical staff on arrival at Nitzan Detention Center on June 24, remains under regular medical follow-up, and at no stage was there any indication of danger to life, the state told the court, adding that no evidence was found supporting PHRI's mistreatment allegations. PHRI attorney Nasser Odeh's affidavit alleged Abu Safiya displayed visible injuries to his head and neck, and PHRI asked the court to order an independent medical examination and an independent judicial review. The state also rejected the argument that the IDF chief of staff must personally sign each cancellation request, citing a temporary wartime amendment allowing a brigadier-general to exercise the authority.