Gaza nurse detained nearly 11 months by Israel says freedom feels elusive

Wissam Hassan al-Sakani, a nurse from Gaza, was detained during an Israeli military raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on December 27, 2024, according to ABC News. The hospital was surrounded by tanks, and medical workers were forced through the rubble of their neighborhood during the raid.

The Israeli military described the hospital as a "Hamas terrorist center," a claim denied by Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health, ABC News reported. Al-Sakani was held in Israeli custody for nearly 11 months without charge and was eventually released under a ceasefire deal.

During his detention, al-Sakani said he endured harsh conditions including sleep deprivation, inadequate medical care, and withholding of medication. He described the experience as "difficult and bitter," and expressed confusion over his arrest, which authorities linked to his employment at the hospital.

One year after his release, al-Sakani told ABC News he still does not feel free, stating that "Gaza is a huge prison" and that his release brought new fears, hardships, and grief. ABC News sought comment from the Israeli military regarding his arrest, but the details were not provided in the report.