Adnan al-Bursh

Adnan al-Bursh, 50, was the head of the orthopedic department at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the largest medical facility in the Strip, and one of Gaza’s best-known surgeons. He stayed at his post through the first months of the war as the health system collapsed around him.

On December 18, 2023, Israeli forces detained Dr. al-Bursh at al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, where he was working, along with other doctors and medical personnel; he was in good health and performing his duties normally at the time, according to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health. He was held without charge for nearly four months — the Israeli military later confirmed it had held him for what it called national security reasons — and reportedly died on April 19, 2024, at Ofer prison in the West Bank. Palestinian prisoner groups announced his death in early May.

“He was detained while undertaking his duty to patients and caring for them according to the oath he took as a medical practitioner. He died for trying to protect the rights to life and health of his patients,” said the Special Rapporteur, Tlaleng Mofokeng, who reported that before his death Dr. al-Bursh had reportedly been beaten in prison, his body showing signs of torture. The expert said the case raised serious concerns that he died following torture and demanded an independent international investigation, noting that Israeli authorities had not released his body. The World Health Organization has reported that at least 214 Palestinian healthcare workers were detained by Israeli forces while on duty during the war.

Sources

• UN expert horrified by death of Gazan orthopedic surgeon in Israeli detention — OHCHR
• IDF confirms senior Gazan doctor died in Israeli prison — The Times of Israel