Israel must release MSF surgeon after two years of arbitrary detention

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr Mohammed Obeid. He remains detained by Israel without any charges since 26 October 2024. 

Dr Obeid, an orthopaedic surgeon, was arrested whilst providing life-saving medical care in Kamal Adwan hospital in the north of Gaza, Palestine, and since then has been held under harsh conditions without any direct contact with his family. His only contact with the external world is his lawyer’s visits, and they are scarce. 

We are extremely concerned about his health and wellbeing, and we stand in full solidarity with him and his family, and demand that his rights, dignity, and freedom be restored without further delay.

Until his arrest by Israeli forces on 26 October 2024, Dr Obeid was one of the few surgeons remaining in the north of the Gaza strip. 

Dr Obeid is a respected and brilliant surgeon who has saved countless lives in difficult circumstances and sometimes with limited supplies in multiple hospitals in Gaza. 

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

Gaza needs its doctors. Medical staff such as surgeons and paediatricians are urgently needed in Gaza today. Many children need urgent orthopaedic care, and around 6,000 amputees need urgent long-term rehabilitation, and Dr Obeid is one of the very few orthopaedic surgeons in Gaza.

We continue to call for his immediate release and his reunification with his family. We call for the release of all medical personnel from arbitrary detention.

Release Dr Obeid. Release all medical staff.