EXPLAINERNews|Israel-Palestine conflictWho are the 95 Palestinian healthcare workers held captive by Israel?Israel continues to hold 80 Palestinian doctors and medical workers from Gaza and 15 from the occupied West Bank.

Overview of Detained Healthcare Professionals

Numerous healthcare professionals, including Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, are currently detained by Israeli authorities. The group includes at least 94 Palestinian medics. An event organized by Healthcare Workers Watch (HWW) and Amnesty International UK recently took place outside St Thomas’ Hospital in London, advocating for their release.

Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, Director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza, has been held without charge under Israeli security law since December 27, 2024. Reports indicate harsh detention conditions, including allegations of torture and lack of medical care.

The detention of healthcare professionals, alongside damage to infrastructure, has severely impacted Gaza's health system. Reports indicate that at least 94% of hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.

Between October 7, 2023, and October 20, 2025, HWW documented 431 cases of detained Palestinian healthcare workers. As of October 20, 2025:

309 healthcare workers have been released, including 67 in a recent exchange deal. Five healthcare workers remain missing. Five have reportedly died in detention, with bodies not returned to families.

HWW is awaiting updates on 22 healthcare workers not included in the confirmed detained or released categories.

Demographics of Detained Professionals

Among the 95 healthcare workers still detained, 80 are from Gaza, and 15 from the West Bank. This group includes 31 nurses, 17 physicians, and others from various healthcare roles. Most detainees were apprehended while performing duties in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

For additional details, a comprehensive table is available containing information about the detained healthcare workers.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.