Israel confirms it is holding Gaza hospital director
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Israel has confirmed it is holding the director of one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza following reports of his arrest last week. Dr Hussam Abu Safiya was held along with dozens of other staff and taken to an interrogation centre during a raid on the Kamal Adwan Hospital on 27 December.
The Israeli military said they targeted the hospital as it was being used a command centre by Hamas militants. Now, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the doctor is being held on suspicion of "involvement in terrorist activities" and accused him of "holding a rank" in Hamas, but have not disclosed his whereabouts.
He is "currently being investigated" by Israeli security forces, the statement said. Human rights campaigners have raised concerns for Dr Abu Safiya's welfare, with the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor organisation saying it had received information his health had deteriorated.
It said Physicians for Human Rights - Israel, another human rights group, had submitted a request for information and a lawyer's visit on behalf of the hospital director's family. Following the raid on the hospital, Sky News spoke to patients who said they were forced outside in cold weather and told to strip.
Confirmation of Dr Abu Safiya's detention comes as Israeli strikes killed at least 30 people in Gaza, including children, overnight, according to staff at al Aqsa Martyrs, another hospital in the enclave. The Israeli army again said in a statement that it had struck Hamas gathering points and command centres.
