Waiting for Hassan: Another Gaza doctor held by Israel without charge

What Happened

On October 25, 2024, Israeli forces detained Dr. Hassan Khalil Almukayed, a vascular surgeon at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, according to his wife Nadia Almukayed and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI). The arrest occurred after Israeli troops stormed the hospital, despite alleged assurances that medical staff would not be harmed. Dr. Almukayed is one of at least 15 Palestinian doctors from Gaza held without charge under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law, which permits indefinite administrative detention. He was initially held for seven months at the Sde Teiman detention camp before being transferred to Ktziot (Negev Prison) in June 2025. His brother Mahmoud, a nurse detained alongside him, was released in the October 2025 prisoner swap, but Hassan remains in custody. The family has not informed him of the death of their father, Khalil Almukayed, who was briefly detained and released but died months later, reportedly from grief. PHRI’s Naji Abbas confirmed the arrest date and noted that the legal category applied does not exist under international law. The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has separately called for the immediate release of Kamal Adwan Hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, who has reportedly faced severe torture in Israeli detention.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The detention of Dr. Almukayed and at least 14 other Gaza doctors without charge raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law and fuels allegations of systematic abuse of Palestinian medical personnel. The case exemplifies the broader collapse of Gaza’s health system amid the war and the legal limbo created by Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law. The UN commission’s intervention regarding Dr. Abu Safia underscores mounting international pressure. The situation could influence diplomatic efforts, prisoner swap negotiations, and potential legal proceedings before international courts.

Watch For

Monitor developments regarding Dr. Almukayed’s legal status, including any Israeli court reviews of his detention. Watch for statements from the UN commission, PHRI, and other rights groups on additional detainees. Track progress of ceasefire and prisoner exchange talks, which could affect his release. Investigate reports of torture and abuse at Sde Teiman and Ktziot, as well as any Israeli investigations or international legal actions prompted by these cases.