Gaza doctor held 18 months without charge shows severe injuries after prison transfer

A Gaza physician held without charge or trial for 18 months appeared severely weakened and injured during a 2 July meeting with his lawyer at Israel's Rakefet prison. The lawyer stated the physician had difficulty breathing and speaking, struggled to sit upright, and repeatedly seemed close to losing consciousness.

The physician described daily beatings at the facility and said he had lost consciousness several times.

Detention history The physician was transferred from Ketziot prison to the Ganot complex in late May and placed in solitary confinement. He was moved to Rakefet on 24 June after a video court hearing. The lawyer said the physician appeared frightened and reluctant to speak freely. He quoted the physician saying he feared the transfer was intended to cause his death.

Checkpoint incident On the same day, a four-month-old infant died after Israeli forces prevented his family from crossing a checkpoint to reach an ambulance. The family drove the child on unpaved roads, delaying treatment by more than an hour. A military spokesperson denied blocking the family.

The infant's uncle said the child needed oxygen and that earlier access to an ambulance might have saved his life. A prison service spokesperson said allegations of mistreatment were false and without factual basis but declined to comment on the physician's health due to privacy rules.

Rights groups are calling for the physician's release and an independent medical examination.