1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I write to you with urgency, calling on the US government to take immediate action in defense of medical professionals and facilities in Gaza. Over the weekend, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, was assaulted, detained, and is reportedly being held in an Israeli detention facility known for the use of torture against detainees. This grave injustice is compounded by harrowing reports from Euro-Med Monitor, which revealed that survivors of the Israeli assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital have described acts of deliberate killings, field executions, and sexual and physical assaults on women and girls within and near the hospital grounds. Such attacks undermine the core principles of medical neutrality and the sanctity of healthcare. As a physician myself, I am disturbed by the videos and testimonies of American physicians who volunteered in Gaza and the attacks on the hospitals that they lived through and the Israeli government refusing to allow medical aid into Gaza. This is a flagrant war crime and the US government must take action to compel the Israeli military to allow medical aid into Gaza. It is not just a moral imperative but a requirement under US law and our failure to do so only worsens US national security as it is pushing away our allies. An iconic image of Dr. Abu Safiya standing resolute in the face of Israeli tanks just before his detainment has been widely circulated, symbolizing the unwavering commitment of medical professionals to their patients and their communities, even under unimaginable conditions. The US government has previously championed the principles of protecting medical professionals around the world in war zones and ensuring healthcare access during times of conflict. I urge the US government to: - Publicly and unequivocally call for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. - Condemn the documented assaults on Gaza’s medical facilities, staff, and patients. - Advocate for the protection of all medical professionals and institutions, in line with international law and ethical standards. In northern Gaza, three hospitals remain under siege or face forced evacuation, leaving countless lives in jeopardy. The US government’s voice can play a critical role in drawing attention to these atrocities and advocating for the preservation of healthcare.