Gaza Doctor Hassan Al-Muqayed Held by Israel for 21 Months, Family Awaits His Return

International Desk. PNN

Nearly 21 months after his detention, Dr. Hassan Khalil Al-Muqayed, a vascular surgeon at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, remains in Israeli custody without any formal charges, according to his family. His wife, Nadia Al-Muqayed, continues to struggle through uncertainty, raising their children alone while living amid the destruction caused by the war.

In October 2024, when Israeli military operations intensified in northern Gaza, Hassan Al-Muqayed became trapped with his family inside Kamal Adwan Hospital, where he was working as a doctor. Despite the attacks and blockade, Hassan refused to leave the hospital because many patients and injured people were still receiving treatment there.

His wife Nadia said that from the beginning of the war until his arrest, her husband continued providing medical care to patients. Despite the dangers surrounding him, he never abandoned the hospital.

She said, “From the beginning of the war until Hassan was taken away, he never stopped treating patients and helping the wounded.”

When Israeli forces launched an operation at Kamal Adwan Hospital, doctors and families were reportedly separated. According to Nadia, soldiers assured medical staff that they would not be harmed or arrested.

However, she claims those assurances were not honored.

Recalling the moment she last saw her husband, Nadia said she realized the situation could become extremely dangerous. She left for southern Gaza with their three children — 13-year-old Mohammad, 11-year-old Malak, and 8-year-old Hala.

For some time afterward, Hassan remained in contact with his family by phone. However, one night the communication suddenly stopped, leading Nadia to believe that he had been detained.

According to human rights organizations, at least 15 doctors from Gaza are currently being held in Israeli custody. Among them is Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital.

Rights activists claim that these doctors are being detained under Israel’s “Unlawful Combatants Law,” which allows long-term detention without formal charges or trial.

Reports suggest that Dr. Hassan was initially held at Israel’s Sde Teiman detention facility before being transferred to Negev Prison.

The family’s biggest pain is that Hassan still does not know about the death of his father, Khalil Al-Muqayed. He was also trapped during the hospital raid and later released, but according to the family, he suffered severe physical and psychological trauma before dying months later due to distress over his sons.

Nadia said she has not informed Hassan about his father’s death because of concerns about his mental condition.

Born in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, Hassan Al-Muqayed was known among locals simply as “the doctor.” After studying medicine in Romania, he worked for some time in Sweden before returning to Gaza in 2010 to care for his parents and serve his community.

Alongside his hospital duties, he also operated a small clinic at his home. His relatives said he never charged poor patients for treatment.

During the war, after his car was destroyed, Hassan reportedly traveled to the hospital using a donkey cart to continue serving patients.

Naji Abbas, a member of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI), alleged that many detained doctors are facing extremely difficult conditions in prison.

He claimed that doctors are not receiving sufficient food, are being subjected to physical abuse, and are sometimes denied necessary medicines.

The family said Hassan suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. They also claimed that he lost around 40 kilograms of weight after his detention.

Israeli military authorities and prison officials were contacted regarding these allegations, but no immediate response was received.

Hassan’s brother Mahmoud Al-Muqayed, who was also detained, was later released. After returning, he found their home destroyed and his family living in tents.

Relatives said Mahmoud described prison life as “like hell,” adding that even the destroyed Gaza was better than detention.

Meanwhile, Hassan’s wife Nadia is working as a teacher with the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA to support the family. Living in a tent, raising children alone, and dealing with her husband’s absence have made life extremely difficult.

The children still remember their father during their birthdays. According to Nadia, they often say, “If father was here, he would arrange celebrations for us and take us to the sea.”

And with that hope, Hassan Al-Muqayed’s family continues waiting — hoping for the day their loved one returns home.