Islamic Relief is utterly heartbroken to confirm that Mohammad Bhar, the young man in Gaza with Down’s syndrome and autism who was mauled to death by an Israeli military dog, was part of Islamic Relief’s orphan sponsorship programme.
We are appalled at the horrific nature of Mohammed’s killing, which is shocking even amidst the daily atrocities in Gaza. Islamic Relief is calling for an independent international investigation into his death, and for all responsible to be held accountable.
Mohammad, 24, was killed during Israel’s recent attack on the Shujaiya neighbourhood of Gaza City, where he and his family lived. Mohammad’s mother, Nabila, told Islamic Relief that Israeli soldiers forced their way into the family’s home and the military dog started mauling a terrified Mohammad, tearing at his body as he screamed in agony and pleaded for the attack to stop. With Mohammad severely bleeding, the Israeli soldiers moved him to another room on his own, despite the fact that his illness meant his family was usually with him for support at all times. The soldiers refused to allow Mohammad’s mother or sister to enter the room to comfort him or bring him water, and shortly afterwards forced the women to leave the house at gunpoint while he was still alive. Mohammad was left alone in the dark room, critically wounded, scared and thirsty, until he died. His body was only recovered a week later when the Israeli military withdrew and his family and neighbours were able to rush to the house to find his remains.
Waseem Ahmad, CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide, says:
“After so many months of atrocities it is hard to be shocked any more by news from Gaza. But the killing of Mohammad reached new depths of horror and everyone at Islamic Relief is utterly heartbroken. This was a truly horrific killing and the level of cruelty and suffering has shocked millions of people around the world. We can only imagine the fear and panic that Mohammad must have felt as he died alone and wounded, without his family beside him. All our prayers are with Mohammad’s family and friends. There must be accountability for such acts, and there must be an immediate ceasefire to finally bring the massacre in Gaza to an end.”
An Islamic Relief staff member in Gaza recalls: “Mohammad was a familiar face in the neighbourhood, known for his kind smile and helpful nature. He was suffering from Down’s syndrome and autism and had special needs all his life, so his mother took care of every detail of his life, from feeding him to dressing him.”
Mohammad and his mother have received support through Islamic Relief’s orphan sponsorship programme for more than 20 years, since his father died when Mohammad was just 2 years old. During Israel’s attacks over the past 9 months the family has been forcibly displaced from their home multiple times, like most families in Gaza.
The orphan sponsorship programme provides regular cash payments to help vulnerable families pay for healthcare, education, shelter and other essentials. Islamic Relief currently sponsors 15,700 orphaned children and youth in Gaza. Sponsorship begins when children are under 18 years old but can be continued later while they remain in school or if they are particularly vulnerable.
At least 117 children and young people cared for by our Orphan Sponsorship Programme are known to have been killed during Israel’s attack on Gaza over the past 9 months.
