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

Since October 2023, more than 300 Palestinian healthcare workers have been detained in Gaza — including 11 members of MedGlobal’s humanitarian medical team. These doctors, nurses and support staff were arrested during raids on hospitals, clinics, and ambulances while delivering care to civilians amid conflict. These detentions are in clear violation of international humanitarian law. They obstruct critical medical services, worsen Gaza’s collapsing health system, and criminalize healthcare workers for doing their jobs. Among them is Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, a respected pediatrician, and a father. He stayed to care for children even as the hospital was bombed — and even after losing his own son. He has now been held for over 200 days, without charge, access to legal representation, or medical care. As a doctor I have multiple American colleagues who are volunteering in Gaza right now and their lives are at risk, as Israel is blocking even them from receiving food or even bringing in their own. I urge you to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and all healthcare workers unjustly detained in Gaza. There is no excuse for Israel to violate international law and the Geneva conventions. I know your previous letters blamed Hamas but they are not the ones blocking baby formula from entering Gaza. Please vote to hold Israel accountable and condition aid and offensive weapons if they won’t follow international law. Our US laws require them and we have to obey the laws.