MEDIA CONTACT:

Logan Bayroff, West End Strategy Team

[email protected], 516-965-5159

Wednesday, Jan. 8: MedGlobal Hosts Briefing on Detention of Dr. Abu Safiya and Attack on Gaza’s Healthcare System

Dr. Abu Safiya, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, is MedGlobal’s Lead Physician in Gaza

MedGlobal invites members of the media and the public to a virtual briefing on Wednesday at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET  addressing the detention of Dr. Abu Safiya, the director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital and MedGlobal’s lead physician in Gaza, and the ongoing pattern of attacks, detention and abuse against medical workers in Gaza. 

Kamal Adwan has now been completely emptied and put out of operation by the IDF following a weeks-long assault and siege. International humanitarian aid organization MedGlobal has been at the forefront of delivering lifesaving services in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The organization has condemned the destruction of Kamal Adwan and is working for Dr. Abu Safiya’s immediate safe release, along with the release of other medical workers, including other MedGlobal personnel arbitrarily detained by the Israeli military. 

Renowned humanitarian leader Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president and co-founder of MedGlobal, will discuss advocacy for the release of Dr. Abu Safiya and other arbitrarily detained medical personnel, and the need for the international community to do more to protect the safety of all medical workers and healthcare facilities in Gaza. Naji Abbas, Prisoners and Detainees department director for Physicians for Human Rights – Israel, will provide an update on advocacy and inquiries into the well-being, location and legal status of Dr. Abu Safiya and other Palestinian medical workers imprisoned by Israeli authorities. Additional expert speakers may be added. 

The briefing is open to the media. Please register here to RSVP and attend.

One of the most prominent medical professionals in Gaza, Dr. Abu Safiya has written about his experiences at Kamal Adwan in two pieces for The New York Times, in October 2023 and most recently on December 2, 2024. 

What: 

• Media briefing updating on the arbitrary detention of Dr. Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital and MedGlobal’s lead physician in Gaza, and the ongoing pattern of attacks, detention, and abuse against medical workers in Gaza. 

When:

• Wednesday at 10 AM CT / 11 AM EST / 6 PM EET

Where: 

• The media briefing will be live on Zoom (register here)

MODERATOR:

• Joseph Belliveau, executive director of MedGlobal

PANELISTS:

• Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president and co-founder of MedGlobal
• Naji Abbas, Prisoners and Detainees department director, Physicians for Human Rights – Israel
• Dr. Syed Sayeed, plastic surgeon and volunteer on MedGlobal and Rahma Worldwide medical missions to Gaza

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About MedGlobal:

MedGlobal is a humanitarian nonprofit organization that provides emergency response and health programs to build resilience among vulnerable communities around the world.