The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society declared on Thursday that Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh, a distinguished surgeon from Gaza, died as a result of torture while in Israeli custody. Dr. Al-Bursh, who served as the head of orthopaedic medicine at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, was educated at King’s College London and had been detained by Israeli forces since December.
His death on April 19 at Israel's Ofer detention centre in the occupied West Bank has been labeled a "deliberate assassination" by Palestinian authorities. Israel has not released his body.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has vehemently condemned the incident, appealing to the international community for immediate intervention to hold Israeli forces accountable. The ministry also highlighted the broader impact of Israel's military actions on Gaza’s healthcare system, noting that since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 496 medical workers have been killed and over 1,500 injured, with 309 detained.
Dr. Al-Bursh, known for his commitment to treating patients across Gaza even under severe bombardment, was reportedly abducted by Israeli forces from Al-Amal Hospital while tending to casualties of the ongoing conflict.
Muhammad Shehada, from the Euro Med Human Rights Monitor, described Dr. Al-Bursh's detention as part of a "criminal kidnapping" and a broader strategy to cripple Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. He revealed that numerous Gazan detainees, particularly healthcare workers, have faced retaliatory torture, with several unreported deaths in custody.
Aseel Baidoun of Medical Aid for Palestinians stressed the dire need for thorough investigation into Dr. Al-Bursh’s death and broader attacks on medical personnel in Gaza. She pointed out that unless these acts are swiftly addressed, Israeli actions will remain unchallenged.
Renowned British-Palestinian doctor Ghassan Abu-Sittah mourned the loss of his colleague and friend, warning of the grave risks faced by healthcare workers under Israeli detention.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian Territories, expressed grave concern over Dr. Al-Bursh's death, urging diplomatic interventions to safeguard Palestinian lives.
Dr. Al-Bursh, remembered for his heroic efforts during the Great March of Return, once performed 28 surgeries in a single day. A poignant image from that time, showing him exhausted and blood-stained, symbolized his dedication and became an iconic representation of the protests.
In a telling 2016 interview, Dr. Al-Bursh shared his motivation for entering the medical field, driven by a deep-seated commitment to the children of Gaza, whom he viewed as extensions of his own family.
As the conflict continues to devastate Gaza, the death of Dr. Al-Bursh underscores the profound challenges facing the Palestinian medical community and the urgent need for international accountability and protection.