Overview
- NGO Monitor and the Israeli military identified Hussam Abu Safiya as a Hamas officer, with the IDF describing him as a ranked member.
- A 2016 image posted by Gaza Medical Services shows him in Hamas camouflage at a Kamal Adwan Hospital ceremony attended by senior officials.
- Arabic media have referred to him as a colonel in Hamas’ Military Medical Services, according to documentation highlighted by journalist Eitan Fischberger.
- Abu Safiya wrote New York Times op-eds on Oct. 29, 2023 and Dec. 2, 2024 as a pediatrician and hospital director, and the paper did not respond to a request for comment on any affiliation.
- The IDF says he was detained on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities and later released without charge, while Channel 13 reported he denied Hamas membership in interrogation but said he treated hostages held at the hospital.