Dr. Adnan Albursh, head of orthopedics at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, was reported killed by Israeli prison authorities at Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank on April 19, as announced in a joint statement by the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society and the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs. Western and Israeli media outlets have been accused of bias in their coverage of Dr. Adnan's martyrdom, saying he died in Israeli prisons rather than attributing it to torture inflicted by Israeli authorities.
Who Is Dr. Adnan Albursh?
Adnan Albursh, a renowned Gaza surgeon, served as the head of orthopedic medicine at Al-Shifa Hospital. According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, he had been detained by Israeli authorities since December.
Albursh, who received his education in the U.K., was reportedly apprehended by Israeli forces at Al-Amal Hospital in Gaza while providing medical care to Palestinians injured during Israel’s extensive assault on the besieged enclave.
Before his detention, Albursh was well-known for his dedication to treating patients, often traveling to different hospitals in Gaza despite the ongoing heavy bombardment by Israeli forces.
Colleagues have honored the late surgeon, lauding him as "compassionate" and "heroic." Dr. Marwan Abu Saada, director of Al-Shifa Hospital, said the news of his demise was difficult for the human soul to bear.
Dr. Suhail Matar, another colleague, referred to Dr. Albursh as "the safety valve" for orthopedic departments across Gaza's hospitals. He described Dr. Albursh as an individual who dedicated his life to his work, tirelessly providing care despite personal sacrifice.
According to Dr. Matar, Dr. Albursh's tireless dedication and unwavering commitment earned him love and admiration, with his infectious smile being a constant presence.
Western Media Biased in Coverage of Dr. Albursh's Killing
After Albursh's killing on April 19, prominent Western media outlets like the BBC and CNN reported that Dr. Adnan Albursh, aged 50, "died in Israeli prison" without specifying the reasons provided by Palestinian officials regarding the circumstances of his death.
The Times of Israel newspaper similarly stated that Dr. Adnan Albursh died in Israeli prisons following his detention for alleged "national security reasons."
Adnan Albursh Tortured and Killed in Israeli Detention
The renowned Gaza surgeon, Adnan Albursh, was tragically tortured to death while in Israeli detention, as announced by a Palestinian prisoner association.
His death, deemed a "deliberate assassination," occurred on April 19 in Israel's Ofer detention center in the occupied West Bank. Despite calls for transparency, Israel has not released his body.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has strongly condemned his killing, urging the international community to hold Israeli forces accountable for this grave act.
"We call on the international community, health and rights organisations to intervene and visit the prisoners, to protect them from torture," a statement from the ministry read.
Furthermore, the ministry revealed alarming statistics, stating that since the start of Israel's war on Gaza on October 7, around 496 medical workers have been killed, with at least 1,500 others wounded and 309 detained.
In addition, the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and The Palestinian Prisoners Club said in a joint statement that what happened with Dr. Albarash was a deliberate assassination that came within the framework of a systematic targeting of doctors and the health system in Gaza.
Moreover, Muhammad Shehada, the chief of communications for the Geneva-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, asserted to The New Arab that Israel's actions toward Albursh constituted a series of egregious violations, including "criminal kidnapping, unlawful and indefinite detention, and ceaseless torture."
He further elaborated that Albursh's death was not an isolated incident but rather part of a systematic and deliberate effort to undermine Gaza's health sector.
"We documented dozens of Gazan detainees, including medical workers, who have been subjected to retaliatory torture, and we collected testimonies about the killing of other medical personnel in detention whose fate has not been formally disclosed by Israel," he explained.
He emphasized that the crimes perpetrated by Israel would impede the progress of Palestinian society in Gaza, particularly by weakening its healthcare system and depriving essential sectors of skilled and esteemed professionals who would be challenging to replace in the immediate future.
Shehada highlighted that Israel's targeting of healthcare workers has created an atmosphere of fear and coercion among medical staff, potentially prompting some to consider leaving Gaza simply to ensure their survival.
Testimony Reveals the Torture of Dr. Adnan Albursh
Palestinian doctor Khaled Hamouda, recently released from Israeli prisons, has shared harrowing details of the torture endured by his colleague, Dr. Adnan Albursh. Hamouda recounted his encounter with Albursh last December in an Israeli detention center for Gaza detainees, just two days after Albursh's arrest.
Describing the scene, Hamouda explained that upon arrival at the Negev region detention center, he found Albursh visibly marked by severe torture. Albursh was restricted to specific meal times under the threat of punishment through beatings and food deprivation.
Hamouda further disclosed that Albursh's body bore unmistakable signs of torture, exacerbated by the psychological and visual strain of being handcuffed and blindfolded. After spending only two days together, Albursh was abruptly transferred by Israeli military personnel and subjected to degrading treatment during the process.
According to Hamouda, Albursh endured relentless pain from the beatings and prolonged interrogations by occupation forces. Hamouda concluded by squarely blaming the occupation army for Albursh's death, urging international bodies to hold Israel accountable for this grave injustice.
Global Calls for Accountability Directed at Israel
Calls for accountability against Israel are mounting following the death of Dr. Adnan Albursh. British-Palestinian doctor Ghassan Abu-Sittah strongly condemned Albursh's killing, likening it to a critical turning point akin to the Al-Ahli Hospital massacre. He warned of the danger faced by over 100 health workers in Israeli prisons.
At the same time, Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian Territories, expressed deep alarm over his death in detention. She called for concrete measures from the diplomatic community to protect Palestinians, emphasizing the insecurity faced under Israel's occupation.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre stated that President Joe Biden had emphasized the importance of safeguarding humanitarian workers in Gaza during discussions with Israel.
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