Islam Abdo, spokesperson for the Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs Commission in Gaza, told Drop Site that Abu Safiya’s case has created widespread fear among families of detained medical workers, who are now are now hesitant to pursue legal or media campaigns because Israeli authorities react to public attention brought on detainees by increasing pressure inside prison.

“The case of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya has created a state of great anxiety,” he said, particularly among families of other detained doctors and medical staff.

“The fear is that Israel uses this symbolic status to increase the suffering of the prisoners,” he said, adding that many families are even afraid to participate in solidarity protests or public statements out of concern that it will lead to more isolation, beatings, or medical neglect for their detained relatives.

When asked whether resorting to Israeli courts or international organizations poses additional risks rather than protection, Abdo replied: “Absolutely.” He described the Israeli judicial system as “a cover for practicing more repression and abuse against prisoners,” saying it has caused families to lose whatever confidence they had left in Israel’s so-called justice system.