Jerusalem:Israeli courts have refused petitions for the release of 14 Palestinian doctors from Gaza, who are being detained without charge or trial, an Israeli rights group reported on Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Physicians for Human Rights Israel stated that the Supreme Court denied the petitions for the doctors' release, which included hospital directors and specialist physicians. Additionally, the Lod District Court refused a request for Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, to receive an independent medical examination despite concerning health indicators in his records.

The group highlighted that these doctors are being held in Israeli prisons without charges, some for over two years, exacerbating Gaza's health system crisis due to a shortage of medical personnel. The Gaza health sector has suffered greatly since Israel's genocide in the enclave began in October 2023, with significant infrastructure damage reported.

Dr. Abu Safiya was detained on December 27, 2024, during a raid and is being held under Israel's 'Unlawful Combatants Law,' which allows for prolonged detention based on classified evidence. Concerns about his health have been raised by Israeli professor Amit Tirosh, who noted several untreated health issues, including weight loss and uninvestigated chest pain, but has not been allowed to examine him personally.

The court has opposed independent medical examinations for Abu Safiya, citing security concerns and his international contacts. This decision has been criticized by Physicians for Human Rights Israel, which argues that detainees' rights to a second medical opinion should not be influenced by their public profile or the security allegations against them.

Currently, around 9,350 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, facing allegations of torture and medical neglect. The situation has worsened since October 2023, amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties, mostly among women and children.