Paris-Geneva, 26 October 2026. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), acting through the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, have issued a joint condemnation regarding the ongoing arbitrary detention of three prominent Palestinian medical professionals. The organizations are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr Dima Amin, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, and Dr Mazen Al-Rantisi.
The Observatory has raised serious concerns about what it describes as an Israeli policy systematically targeting Palestinian health workers who act as human rights defenders. Many of these individuals are reportedly subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment across Gaza and the wider occupied Palestinian territory.
Dr Dima Amin, a 55-year-old obstetrician-gynaecologist specializing in reproductive and maternal healthcare, was arrested on 18 August 2026 during a night raid on her home in Ramallah. She is also a board member of the Bisan Center for Research and Development. During her transfer, she suffered a health emergency requiring cardiac catheterisation before being returned to interrogation. On 21 August 2026, she was placed in solitary confinement at the Moscobiya detention centre under poor sanitary conditions. She was subsequently indicted on charges of “incitement” and “support for terrorist organisations” based on Facebook posts denouncing human rights violations. She is currently held in Al-Damon prison.
Data from Healthcare Workers Watch (HWW) indicates that 446 Palestinian healthcare workers have been detained or gone missing since October 2023. As of 17 April 2026, 83 remain in Israeli detention, with 75 from the Gaza Strip. Six have reportedly died in custody.
Among those detained is Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, a paediatrician and director of Kamal Adwan Hospitals in Northern Gaza. Arrested on 27 December 2024 after refusing to evacuate his hospital, he has been held without trial under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law. UN experts reported in March 2026 that he had suffered severe torture, including beatings and electric shocks, and was denied medical care despite heart conditions, placing his life in grave danger.
In the West Bank, Dr Mazen Al-Rantisi, a 71-year-old physician known for serving low-income Palestinians, was arrested on 21 June 2026. He faces indictment for chairing the Union of Health Work Committees. According to statements made to the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), Dr Al-Rantisi has endured ill-treatment, food deprivation, and medical neglect, with his family reporting that he is being denied medication for chronic illnesses.
The Observatory emphasized that under international humanitarian law, specifically Article 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel must ensure medical services and protect civilian medical personnel. Furthermore, the actions against these doctors violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including protections against torture and rights to freedom of expression.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
