- More than a thousand stray dogs have been attacking IDF soldiers in northern Gaza since October 7th.
- Dr. Yehoshua Shakdi suggested the only solution was to shoot them, raising ethical questions. In 2022, Israel shot 2,000 stray dogs.
According to Kan Hebrew, more than a thousand stray dogs have been launching attacks on groups of Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza since October 7th. The dogs are reported to approach IDF soldiers. This report was published in February and while the soldiers are said to have repelled the attacks, many would like to know what has happened to the dogs since.
Kan reported: “In recent days, dozens of complaints have been received from soldiers and officials in the IDF, stationed on the border of the Gaza Strip, regarding packs of dogs from Gaza attacking them. This was first announced on the program ‘Hazet Hayom’ with Esti Perez Ben Ami on Kan Network B…Dogs are approaching the fighters in the gathering areas in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, growling, baring their teeth, and attempting to bite the soldiers.”
Dr. Yehoshua Shakdi, Chief Scientist of the Nature and Parks Authority, cautioned on Hinet Reshet B: “We must address the issue of stray dogs. There is no alternative but to shoot them.“
This isn’t the first time the Isreal have shot stray dogs. Haaretz report that that the IDF shot 2,000 dogs in 2022. “Hebron Mayor Tayseer Abu Sneineh posted a video in which he urged locals to kill stray dogs and promised to pay 20 shekels ($5.50) for each canine corpse,” the article reads. “The official reason was to prevent cases of rabies. However, reducing their numbers appears to be the real goal,” the article suggested.
In Islam, there are teachings emphasizing compassion and kindness towards animals, even during times of conflict or war. One such example can be found in a hadith narrated by Ibn ‘Umar, in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed his followers regarding the treatment of animals during wartime. The hadith states:
"Do not kill any young child, any old man, or any woman. Do not keep any booty that you gain, and do not kill any sheep, cow, or camel except for food. You will meet people who have set themselves apart in hermitages, and leave them alone to do what they have chosen for themselves. And you will come upon people who are just beginning to grow crops, so do not harm them, but rather go to them and tell them of Allah's rules for war."
This hadith emphasises the prohibition against killing animals except for food during times of war,
