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Lawyer warns detained Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya is in critical condition
By By Melanie Lidman, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 5, 2026
· 3 min read
The lawyer for a prominent Palestinian doctor who was seized by Israeli forces 18 months ago said his client has been abused in captivity and is in critical condition, according to the human rights group representing him.Hussam Abu Safiya who served as director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in nort...
Key takeaway The Israeli military said Abu Safiya, 53, was being investigated on suspicion of cooperating with or working for Hamas.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's own Palestinian community is likely watching the situation of Hussam Abu Safiya with great concern, given the city's history of activism on human rights issues. The fact that Abu Safiya, a doctor and hospital director, has been detained without charge for 18 months raises questions about the treatment of medical professionals in conflict zones. Locally, organizations that advocate for human rights and social justice may be prompted to speak out on Abu Safiya's behalf, drawing parallels to similar cases of alleged abuse and detention. As the situation unfolds, San Antonio residents who have worked with or supported Palestinian causes may be calling on local leaders to condemn the alleged mistreatment of Abu Safiya and to support efforts to secure his release. The city's own experiences with social justice movements may inform the local response to this international human rights issue.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The lawyer for a prominent Palestinian doctor who was seized by Israeli forces 18 months ago said his client has been abused in captivity and is in critical condition, according to the human rights group representing him.Hussam Abu Safiya who served as director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in nort...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by By Melanie Lidman, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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