The Palestinian Center for the Defense of Prisoners revealed on Thursday a serious deterioration in the health of imprisoned physician Murad Walid Murad al-Qouqa from the Gaza Strip, due to torture, ill-treatment, and medical neglect he has suffered since his arrest from inside al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City.
In a press release, the Center explained that Dr. al-Qouqa (47 years old), a consultant orthopedic and spinal surgeon and head of the orthopedic and spinal surgery unit at al-Shifa Medical Complex, has spent years treating patients and saving the wounded. He remained committed to his medical and humanitarian duty despite the dire circumstances in the Gaza Strip, refusing to abandon his patients or leave them.
The Center stated that Israeli occupation forces arrested Dr. al-Qouqa on March 19, 2024, during a raid on al-Shifa Medical Complex while he was on duty, treating patients and the wounded. He was taken, along with several other medical staff members, after the hospital was besieged and stormed. He has remained in detention ever since. The center noted that available information indicates Dr. Qouqa suffered a serious eye injury that affected his vision, in addition to physical and psychological abuse. He also suffers from a slipped disc, high blood pressure, and a stomach ulcer, and has been denied his blood pressure medication for two months or more, further endangering his health and life.
The center pointed out that his severe physical deterioration was evident after he lost approximately 45 kilograms of weight as a result of starvation, medical neglect, and the harsh detention conditions he has endured since his arrest.
