An MSF vehicle passes in front of ruined buildings in Jabalia. Palestine, 2025. © Nour Alsaqqa

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Palestine: MSF surgeon must be released after two years of arbitrary detention 

Mohammed Obeid held in harsh conditions, no family contact

Published: Nov 4, 2026Updated: Nov 4, 2026

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of physician Mohammed Obeid. He remains detained by Israel without any charges since Oct. 26, 2024.  

Mohammed Obeid, an orthopedic surgeon, was arrested while providing lifesaving medical care in the Kamal Adwan hospital in the north of Gaza. Since his detention he 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 well-being and we stand in full solidarity with him and his family. We demand his rights, dignity and freedom be restored without further delay. 

Until his arrest by Israeli forces on Oct. 26, 2024, Obeid was one of the few surgeons remaining in northern Gaza.  

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

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

Gaza needs its doctors. Medical staff such as surgeons and pediatricians are in crucial need today in Gaza. Many children need urgent orthopedic care, and around 6,000 amputees need urgent long-term rehabilitation. Obeid is one of the very few orthopedic 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 Mohammed Obeid. Release all medical staff. 

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