Israeli Forces Detain Jordanian Doctor Heading to Gaza on Relief Mission

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli authorities detained Jordanian doctor Abdullah Salameh Al-Bliwi during his journey with a medical relief delegation to Gaza. The incident occurred on December 19 at the King Hussein Bridge, the border crossing between Jordan and occupied Palestine.

Dr. Al-Bliwi, a general surgeon at Al-Ruwaished Government Hospital, was part of a 12-member delegation organized by the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA). The organization had obtained official Israeli approval for the trip.

His wife, Haneen Tamimi, told Quds News Network that the delegation was delayed at the Israeli side of the crossing. The Israelis summoned five members to return their passports but withheld Dr. Al-Bliwi’s. The group waited for over 90 minutes before learning he had been detained.

Israeli police later informed the family that the Jordanian doctor was being held at Petah Tikva detention center. Authorities provided no explanation for his arrest or the conditions of his detention. The family promptly contacted Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which initially had no knowledge of the detention but later confirmed it is following up on the matter.

Tamimi told Quds News Network that the Israelis have repeatedly extended the ban preventing Dr. Al-Bliwi’s lawyer from meeting him. Initially, the ban was set to expire on Friday but has now been extended until Tuesday. His lawyer has managed to reduce the detention period from 15 days to five but remains barred from direct contact.

Dr. Al-Bliwi previously participated in a similar medical mission to Gaza in June, facing no issues at the time. Arresting Al-Bliwi is the first of its kind for foreign aid delegations.

The family of Dr. Al-Bliwi has called on Jordanian authorities to take urgent action for his release. They also hold Israel fully responsible for his health and well-being. International human rights organizations have been contacted to pressure Israel for his immediate release.

Dr. Al-Balawi’s detention highlights ongoing challenges faced by medical professionals providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israel has been targeting medical teams and bombarding hospitals inside Gaza, aiming at making the besieged strip uninhabitable.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been carrying out a genocide in Gaza, killing at least 45,000 Palestinians so far and injuring hundreds of thousands with others , who remain under the rubble or in the streets as Israel continues to prevent rescue teams from reaching them.