‘He chose to save lives’: Netizens rally for Gaza doctor’s release after a year in Israeli jail

Netizens and medical professionals have rallied for the release of Doctor Hussam Abu Safia, who has spent a year in Israeli detention without charge or trial after refusing to abandon patients at Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip.

Abu Safia, known for his steadfast leadership as director of the hospital in Beit Lahiya, north of Gaza City, remained at the hospital alongside medical staff despite continuous strikes by Israeli forces. The hospital was eventually surrounded and evacuated by Israeli forces, who took Abu Safia into custody.

The widely circulated image of Abu Safia being taken from his hospital has become a symbol of the risks faced by medical personnel working under occupation.

Supporters took to social media on Saturday to highlight his bravery and the injustice of his detention.

Abdullah Omar, a 24-year-old X user, praised Abu Safia’s decision to stay with his patients despite the risks.

“Because he refused to flee and chose to save lives, the occupation arrested him. He stayed with his patients until the very end,” Omar wrote.

Primary care doctor Yipeng Ge recalled the day of Abu Safia’s abduction during the raid, calling for his immediate release.

“One year ago, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya was abducted by the Israeli military along with dozens of other medical staff during a horrific raid on the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza,” he said.

Palliative care physician Kavita Algu highlighted both his suffering and dedication, describing how Israeli forces forced him “into a tank in his white coat.”

“He has endured one year of torture by a terrorist state for working to protect life. He must be freed now,” she said.

Cory Archibald commented on the moment Abu Safia was taken from the hospital, emphasizing the injustice of his treatment.

“He expected to discuss the situation and be treated with respect as a neutral medical professional. Instead, they took him prisoner. This is Israel’s cruelty. This is an occupation. This is Israeli terrorism,” she wrote.

Priti Gulati Cox reflected on Abu Safia’s personal losses while in the regime's detention.

“It’s been 428 days since his son Ibrahim was killed; 363 days since his mother died of a heart attack grieving his fate; and 812 days since our silence…” he wrote.

Another wave of posts expressed anger over Abu Safia’s continued detention amid international silence.

Advocacy group Within Our Lifetime said Abu Safia "has been imprisoned, tortured, and held without charge or trial for saving lives in Gaza during the ongoing genocide. We have not done enough to fight for his freedom. We must do more."

X user Mel wrote that a full year has passed with the doctor still held in an Israeli prison, condemning US politicians who continue to support the regime.

“May eternal shame haunt every single American politician who continues to support this barbarism,” she said.

Others focused on the moment of his arrest as a defining image of the war on Gaza’s healthcare system.

Independent journalist Khalissee described Abu Safia as “the doctor who refused to leave his people behind,” recalling how he walked over rubble toward an Israeli tank before being taken prisoner.

Abu Safia is reportedly being held in extreme conditions, having lost more than a third of his body weight. His family is concerned for his health, citing heart problems, high blood pressure, skin infections, and a lack of specialized medical care.

His continued imprisonment has drawn international condemnation, particularly because of his role in documenting Israel’s systematic attacks on Gaza’s healthcare system and exposing the deliberate targeting of medical infrastructure during Israel's campaign of genocide. 

The case underscores the urgent need for international action to protect medical personnel detained under such conditions. Gaza’s health ministry and human rights organizations have repeatedly demanded Abu Safia’s immediate release, but Israel has ignored the calls.

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