Commemorating a Year of Detention: London Backs Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya

On the first anniversary of the arrest of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, the Palestinian Forum in Britain organized a silent vigil this afternoon outside the Israeli Embassy in London, as part of the “Red Ribbons” campaign aimed at keeping the issue of Palestinian prisoners present in British and international public awareness.

A humanitarian vigil uniting voices of multiple nationalities

Dozens of solidarity activists from different nationalities and backgrounds took part in the vigil, standing in complete silence for nearly an hour while holding red ribbons and placards calling for the release of Dr. Abu Safiya and all Palestinian prisoners. The event began at 1:30 p.m. near High Street Kensington station, with the participation of members of the Palestinian community in Britain, alongside British human rights activists and members of international solidarity organizations.

Adnan Humaidan, Vice President of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, said the vigil comes “as a deliberate reminder during the holiday season that the suffering of Palestinian prisoners does not stop,” stressing that the arrest of a doctor who was carrying out his humanitarian duty under conditions of war and siege “represents a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.” He added that the Red Ribbons campaign will continue in London and other cities “in rejection of attempts to sideline these issues from the media and public opinion.”

Dr. Abu Safiya: a doctor who continued saving lives under bombardment and siege

Palestinian participants living in Britain, including Samer, Moayed, Youssef, and Mohammad Ali, affirmed that Dr. Abu Safiya has become a symbol of the suffering of medical staff in Gaza, noting that his steadfastness inside the hospital—despite losing his son and being injured during the assault—reflects the scale of the human cost borne by civilians and healthcare workers.

For her part, Rabia, a British supporter of Palestinian prisoners, said the silent vigil “carries a message stronger than words,” adding that the continued detention of doctors and humanitarian workers “is something that cannot be justified or accepted.” Cherie, a British solidarity activist with Palestine, stressed the importance of keeping these issues visible on the British streets, while Jim, an Irish-British supporter, said that international silence “encourages the repetition of violations.”

This action comes as part of a campaign launched by the Palestinian Forum in Britain calling for the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who has been detained since 27 December 2024 while working at the hospital. Abu Safiya is considered one of the most prominent doctors who continued to carry out his humanitarian duty in northern Gaza despite bombardment and siege.

He lost his son during the assault and was forced to bury him in the hospital courtyard due to the inability to reach cemeteries, and he was also injured in the leg prior to his arrest. To this day, no official information is available about his place of detention or his health condition, raising growing concerns about his safety.

After the silent vigil ended, participants tied red ribbons to nearby trees and poles and put up posters telling Dr. Abu Safiya’s story, in an attempt to draw the attention of passersby and keep the issue of Palestinian prisoners present in public spaces.

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