Gaza: MSF surgeon must be released after two years of arbitrary detention

Dr. Obeid was detained on October 26, 2024, while providing lifesaving medical care at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. Since then, he has been held in harsh conditions and without any direct contact with his family. His only contact with the outside world is infrequent visits from his lawyer.

We are extremely concerned about Dr. Obeid’s health and well-being. We stand in solidarity with him and his family, and demand that his rights, dignity, and freedom be restored without further delay.

Dr. Obeid is a respected surgeon who has saved countless lives at multiple hospitals in Gaza, working under extremely difficult circumstances and often with limited supplies. Before his arrest by Israeli forces in 2024, Dr. Obeid was one of the few surgeons remaining in the north of Gaza. The health system currently lies in ruins across the Strip and people struggle to access even basic medical care.

He is not alone. Israel continues to arbitrarily detain dozens of health care workers from Gaza. Under International Humanitarian Law, medical personnel are protected and should not be punished for carrying out medical duties.

Gaza needs its doctors, and Dr. Obeid is one of the very few orthopedic surgeons in the Strip. With so many children in need of urgent orthopedic care and around 6,000 amputees requiring urgent, long-term rehabilitation, surgeons, pediatricians, and other medical staff are crucial.

We continue to call for Dr. Obeid's immediate release and his reunification with his family. All medical personnel must be released from arbitrary detention.

Release Dr. Obeid. Release all medical workers from Gaza.