To Whom it May Concern

The abduction of the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya in Gaza this past weekend at the hands of the Israeli army is morally reprehensible and should cause global outrage and condemnation. Dr Hussam is accused of being a member of Hamas, a charge which is ridiculous and utterly false. At the time of writing, Kamala Adwan Hospital has been destroyed by the Israeli army who have concluded their operations at the hospital. Kamal Adwan was the last functioning hospital in North Gaza. 750000 people will be without healthcare amidst an ongoing genocide.

Dr Hussam's unwavering commitment to his patients and the people of Gaza throughout the genocide, despite being severely injured from a missile attack on the hospital bears testament to his integrity and his dedication to his people and profession. As the Israeli army lay siege to the hospital, Dr Abu Safiya refused to abandon his patients and remained at the hospital until the very end. He was beaten prior to his abduction and will undoubtedly be tortured at the hands of his abductors.

The abduction of Dr Abu Safiya is just the latest in a string of deaths of healthcare professionals in Gaza. The Israeli army routinely arrests, tortures and kills doctors and other medical professionals to further its genocidal ambitions and to totally erase health care to the people of Gaza.

As doctors and medical professionals, it is our moral and ethical duty to stand by our fellow colleagues in Gaza and demand that our government takes immediate action and call for the release of all health care professionals that are held by the Israeli government.

Dr Hussam's fate may rest in the hands of the international community who must be willing to put pressure on the Israeli government and its allies to release him with immediate effect. All avenues, diplomatic and otherwise must be exhausted in doing so or else Dr Abu Safiya may face the same fate as Dr Adnan Bursch and others who have been tortured to death in Israeli prisons. We cannot let the Dr Abu Safiya meet the same fate.

We urge you to take swift action. Dr Hussam's life depends upon it.

Yours in solidarity