Gaza hospital director among those added to list of Palestinian prisoners to be released in cease-fire deal

The Israeli government approved five extra names overnight into Monday to be added to the list of Gazan prisoners who are expected to be released as part of the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, Haaretz has learned.

Two Red Cross buses carrying Palestinian prisoners departed Ofer Prison around noon on Monday local time, as part of the exchange following the safe return of all living Israeli hostages to Israel.

One of the prisoners on this list is Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, who was detained by the IDF in December 2024, and whose arrest led to harsh international criticism of Israel.

The list of prisoners includes approximately 1,700 Gazans. According to the government’s decision, five of them are designated as “potential replacements” in case any of those scheduled for release under the deal are ultimately not freed.

The decision also grants Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz the authority to order the release of the prisoners anyway, citing considerations of Israel’s foreign relations and national security. It is widely assumed that Netanyahu will approve their release, including Abu Safiya, as a goodwill gesture toward the United States and the international community.

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Abu Safiya, who oversaw Kamal Adwan Hospital during a prolonged siege imposed by the IDF at the end of 2023, became one of the war’s symbolic figures. His son was killed and buried in the hospital courtyard, and dozens of hospital staff were also killed.

He was arrested by the IDF, later released and subsequently wounded in a shelling. In late December, as the IDF raided the hospital for the third time, he refused to leave the premises. When he finally exited on December 27, he was arrested by Israeli soldiers and has since been held in Israel under the designation of an “unlawful combatant.”

His detention has been extended every six months, based on classified evidence and in closed legal proceedings. According to his lawyer, Abu Safiya has lost a significant amount of weight in prison and is suffering from hunger and abuse at the hands of prison guards.

At a United Nations Security Council session in January, which focused on Gaza’s healthcare system, many member states accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law and committing war crimes in the Strip.

These accusations came, in part, following an IDF raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital. During the session, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization’s senior representative for the region, called on Israel to release Abu Safiya. The U.S. representative stated that the American administration has deliberated with Israel regarding his case.