As Israel launched a full-blown aggression on Palestinians in Gaza, the occupation forces (IOF) on February 4, released an attack dog on 4-year-old Palestinian boy Ibrahim Hashash in the northern occupied West Bank.
According to a report by the Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP) at 7 am on Sunday the IOF released a military dog into the Hashash family apartment in Balata refugee camp, near Nablus, after an arrest operation.
The dog entered the apartment and attacked Ibrahim after removing him from his mother’s arms, tore off his clothes, and repeatedly bit him on the lower half of his body.
“The dog made frightening sounds while biting Ibrahim, and blood was flowing heavily as he screamed and cried intensely,” according to Ibrahim’s mother who was unable to free her child.
The attack lasted for approximately three minutes before Israeli forces entered the apartment and removed the dog from Ibrahim.
He was transported to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus via ambulance and is currently receiving treatment for injuries.
“Israeli forces routinely show complete disregard, and often contempt, for Palestinian children’s lives and safety,” Ayed Abu Eqtaish, accountability programme director at DCIP said.
“In a hyper militarized environment where systemic impunity is the norm, kids like Ibrahim will increasingly be targets,” he added.
Ibrahim is scheduled to stay in the hospital until he undergoes plastic surgery to repair his injuries, as per medical data gathered by DCIP.
Israeli forces use military dogs to repeatedly attack Palestinian civilians, including children, during their military incursions into Palestinian cities and towns. DCIP reported four instances in 2023 where Israeli military dogs attacked Palestinian children.
