Lawmakers Urge Marco Rubio to Release Detained American Student

More than 40 members of the U.S. Congress, led by Representative Rashida Tlaib, demanded that Secretary of State Marco Rubio secure the immediate release of Sama Safi. Safi, a 20-year-old American psychology student at Birzeit University, was detained by the Israel Defense Forces on June 2 during raids on her family home and other students in the occupied West Bank. She is currently held at the Damon military prison near Haifa.

Lawmakers and a coalition of 85 organizations warned that Safi's health is rapidly deteriorating due to familial Mediterranean fever, a severe chronic condition. The congressional letter alleges that Safi has been denied daily medication and subjected to torture, including stress positions and the use of stun grenades in cells. Tlaib noted that Safi's condition worsened after being subjected to "abysmal detention conditions."

Israeli military officials stated that Safi was among four female suspects detained for promoting terrorist activity, specifically charging her with membership in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, an allegation her lawyer denies. The United States Department of State confirmed it is monitoring the situation and prioritizing the safety of U.S. citizens abroad, though it declined to provide specific details due to privacy concerns.