Israel Rebuts U.N. Alarm Over Gaza Hospital Chief Detention

Israel's diplomatic mission in Geneva said Friday that Hussam Abu Safiya, the detained director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, is lawfully held based on concrete intelligence and rejected claims that he faces a life-threatening condition. The mission said Abu Safiya is a colonel in Hamas's Military Medical Services, accused him of turning the northern Gaza hospital into a Hamas terror hub, diverting humanitarian resources and enabling activity against Israeli forces. The statement answered UN experts and a UN inquiry panel that called for his release and raised abuse concerns. Israel said the detention is under regular administrative and judicial review, that no indications supported the health claims, and that he has been repeatedly examined and remains under medical supervision.