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// DOSSIER — us-lawmakers-demand-release-detained-americans-israel-china
US Lawmakers and State Department Demand Release of Detained Americans in Israel and China
REL_TIME: 27 Aug 2026 02:12Z · LANG: EN
US lawmakers and the State Department are actively intervening in cases of American citizens detained abroad under contentious circumstances. A bipartisan group of 40 US lawmakers addressed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding the immediate release of 20-year-old student Sama Safi from an Israeli military prison, warning of life-threatening organ damage due to severe medical neglect of her chronic condition, Familial Mediterranean Fever, and citing widespread mistreatment. Simultaneously, the State Department formally designated US academic Min Zin as 'wrongfully detained' on espionage charges in China after he was lured to an academic conference in Yunnan, while also calling for the release of detained American seismologist Youlin Chen.
// Background
Sama Safi's detention occurs alongside an estimated 23,000 individuals detained in the occupied territory since the Gaza war began. Detaining West Bank residents inside Israeli territory at Damon military prison near Haifa has been highlighted by lawmakers as a breach of Fourth Geneva Convention provisions regarding occupied populations. In China, Min Zin and seismologist Youlin Chen are both held on espionage allegations amid broader geopolitical tensions ahead of scheduled bilateral talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
// Key Developments
- A group of 40 US lawmakers, including six senators, demanded Secretary of State Marco Rubio secure the immediate release of 20-year-old American student Sama Safi from Israeli military custody.
- Doctors warn Sama Safi faces life-threatening organ damage from Familial Mediterranean Fever after being denied daily medication since returning to detention on August 16.
- Lawmakers alleged Safi experienced inhumane treatment including blindfolding, shackling, stress positions, and gas exposure, while asserting her transfer to Damon prison violates the Fourth Geneva Convention.
- The US State Department formally designated political scientist Min Zin as wrongfully detained by China on espionage charges following his arrest in Kunming on June 3.
- Min Zin's think tank, ISP-Myanmar, denied espionage accusations and requested President Donald Trump prioritize Zin's freedom in upcoming meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
// Timeline
-
Sama Safi is taken from her family's home in the occupied West Bank during a late-night Israeli military raid.
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American academic Min Zin is detained by Chinese authorities in Kunming after being invited to an academic conference.
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Sama Safi is returned to Israeli detention following a brief medical release.
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Forty US lawmakers send a formal letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding Safi's immediate release.
// Perspectives
[Group of 40 US Lawmakers]
Demands the immediate release of Sama Safi, condemning her ongoing detention without trial, transfer to Damon military prison, and severe medical neglect as hazardous to her life.
[US Department of State]
Formally designated Min Zin as wrongfully detained in China while maintaining that it is monitoring Sama Safi's situation in the West Bank under privacy considerations.
[Institute for Strategy and Policy (ISP) - Myanmar]
Rejects spying allegations against founder Min Zin and urges the US administration to secure his immediate and unconditional release ahead of high-level US-China talks.
// Quotes
“You have a duty to secure the safety and security of US citizens abroad.”
“We call on Beijing to release all U.S. citizens arbitrarily detained or exit banned in China. The safety and security of U.S. citizens is the State Department's top priority.”
