Dexter, Ruiz Condemn Lack of Due Process for Imprisoned Palestinian Pediatrician Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and Demand His Release by Netanyahu’s Government

September 10, 2026 Press Release Lawmakers: “We write with urgent concern about the life-threatening conditions facing Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a Palestinian pediatrician being badly mistreated in Israeli custody.” Netanyahu’s government has filed no formal charges against Dr. Abu Safiya, nor has he received a trial. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), and Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), led 69 of their colleagues in calling on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to engage his counterparts in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to secure the release of imprisoned Palestinian pediatrician Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. The lawmakers emphasized the lack of d ue process afforded to Dr. Abu Safiya, who has yet to receive formal charges, and highlighted his worsening physical condition. “We write with urgent concern about the life-threatening conditions facing Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a Palestinian pediatrician being badly mistreated in Israeli custody,” the lawmakers wrote. “As recently as last month, Dr. Abu Safiya’s lawyer warned that his physical condition had deteriorated to the point of near-death.” Dr. Abu Safiya is the longtime director of Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza City. During the war in Gaza, he played a critical role in providing wounded civilians with vital medical care. Among his most notable contributions was the construction of a malnutrition unit that treated hundreds of children. On December 27, 2024, Dr. Abu Safiya was arrested while on duty at his hospital and remains in Israeli custody. No formal charges were ever presented against him, and to this day, he has yet to receive a trial. “For over 18 months, Dr. Abu Safiya has languished in Israeli jails, including an underground facility previously shut down due to the poor conditions its detainees faced,” the lawmakers continued. “According to his lawyer, authorities have repeatedly denied him adequate access to medical care, food and toiletries, causing him to lose significant weight.” On July 2, 2026, Dr. Abu Safiya’s lawyer visited him in jail and found that the severity of his injuries had rendered him nearly unrecognizable. His body bore fresh bruises, and he struggled to remain conscious. The lawmakers urged Secretary Rubio to do everything in the Trump Administration’s power to free Dr. Abu Safiya before he dies in custody. The letter is cosigned in the House by 66 Members. The letter is cosigned in the Senate by 3 Senators. Please find the full letter to Secretary Rubio here . Issues : Congress