Disabled Gazan Left to Die by IDF

In Gaza’s Shujaiya neighborhood, a harrowing incident took place that encapsulates the brutal reality of Israel’s tyranny. Muhammed Ahmed Bhar, a 24-year-old Palestinian with severe Down syndrome, was left to die by Israeli soldiers after a horrific attack by a combat dog. As Israeli troops stormed their home, Muhammed’s family, including his mother Nabila, hid in fear.

The soldiers unleashed a combat dog, which viciously attacked Muhammed, biting his chest and mauling his arm. Despite Nabila’s desperate pleas to the soldiers, explaining her son’s disability, they took him to a separate room, leaving the family anguished and unable to intervene. Muhammed’s innocent screams for help and water haunted his mother as she was forced to leave at gunpoint, unable to save her vulnerable son.

For seven dreadful days, Muhammed’s family pleaded with the Red Cross to intermediate for his release or medical treatment, but their efforts were met with rejection from the Israeli army. When the family finally returned to their home, they were confronted with a gruesome sight: Muhammed’s decomposing body, covered in blood and infested with worms. The room bore the marks of his struggle, with bloodstains and fluids evidencing the prolonged suffering he endured before his death. Muhammed’s older brother, Jebril, described the horrific state of his body, indicating that he had been left to die days before their return.

The unbearable grief of losing Muhammed in such an inhumane manner underscores the profound sorrow and anger felt by his family, highlighting the devastating human cost of the ongoing conflict.

The IDF’s attack on Muhammed Ahmed Bhar, a vulnerable individual with Down syndrome, showcases blatant disregard for human life and dignity. This incident epitomizes the sheer brutality and inhumanity exhibited by the Israeli forces, who unleashed a combat dog on Muhammed and left him to die alone and in pain. The family’s desperate pleas for help highlight the callousness and cruelty of the soldiers involved.

The use of combat dogs, raids, and forced expulsions reveals a deliberate strategy to oppress and terrorize the Palestinian population. These actions are part of a systematic approach to instill fear and maintain control over the Palestinian people through violence and intimidation. The continuous bombings and forced displacements further underscore the oppressive tactics employed by Israeli forces.

The IDF’s actions, including the brutal treatment of civilians like Muhammed, constitute war crimes and demonstrate a clear contempt for international humanitarian standards. The mistreatment and ultimate abandonment of Muhammed highlight severe violations of international law, raising serious ethical and legal concerns about the conduct of the Israeli military.

The treatment of Muhammed and other Palestinians reflects deep-seated dehumanization, showcasing a profound lack of empathy and respect for their lives. By disregarding Muhammed’s disability and allowing him to suffer and die, the Israeli soldiers revealed an ingrained mindset that devalues Palestinian lives and humanity.

The silence from the Red Cross and the international community in response to the family’s pleas for help underscores the lack of accountability with which Israeli forces operate. This impunity enables ongoing abuses and perpetuates a cycle of violence and suffering for the Palestinian people, highlighting a critical failure of international oversight and intervention.

Continuous military operations, blockades, and restricted access to medical care erode the basic human rights of Palestinians. The inability to properly register Muhammed’s death or bury him with dignity is a stark reminder of the daily injustices faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation. This erosion of fundamental rights is indicative of the broader humanitarian crisis affecting the region.

Story Source: Maha Hussaini with Middle East Eye