Palestinian Man Brutally Assaulted and Used as Human Shield by Israeli Forces Sparks International Outrage

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
24/06/2024 19h04

In a disturbing incident that has outraged the international community, an unarmed Palestinian man named Mujahed Abadi was brutally beaten, shot, and used as a human shield by Israeli forces during a raid in the West Bank. Abadi, who spoke to Al Jazeera Arabic from Ibn Sina Hospital, recounted the horrifying ordeal he endured at the hands of the Israeli troops.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday in the city of Jenin, was captured on video and has sparked widespread condemnation. Abadi, 24 years old, was shot in the arm and leg while taking shelter near his uncle's house during the Israeli raid. Despite being clearly unarmed, Israeli troops forcibly dragged him out of his hiding place, subjecting him to relentless punches and kicks, even targeting his bullet wounds.

Abadi, in an interview, expressed his shock and immense suffering during the ordeal, stating that he wished he was dead at that moment. Instead of providing him with medical aid, the Israeli troops continued to inflict pain upon him. Abadi described how he was lifted by two soldiers and swung back and forth before being thrown onto the hood of a military vehicle, leaving him with severe burns on his back.

After being driven around on the military jeep, Abadi was eventually dropped off at a house and transferred to Palestinian medics. He emphasized that the Israeli troops showed no regard for his well-being and only seemed interested in torturing him. Abadi stated that the soldiers did not offer any explanation for their actions and laughed while beating him.

The Israeli military confirmed the incident, describing Abadi as one of the suspects targeted in the raid who was injured and apprehended. However, Abadi, asserting his innocence, stated that he was merely a bystander. He expressed his disbelief at the treatment he received, highlighting the fact that he was briefly detained and that his name was never mentioned by the soldiers.

The international community has condemned the incident, with Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter expressing shock at the violence perpetrated by Israeli forces and questioning the need for sanctions. The United States also criticized the use of human shields, calling it absolutely unacceptable. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller welcomed Israel's promise to investigate the incident, but emphasized the rarity of prosecutions against Israeli soldiers for violations against Palestinians.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, described Abadi's treatment as a clear instance of using a human shield. Abadi is currently suffering from multiple injuries, including a broken arm, a wounded leg, burns on his back, and deep psychological scars. He revealed that he has been unable to sleep since the incident, experiencing strong psychological distress.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and human rights abuses inflicted upon Palestinians in the West Bank. Calls for accountability and justice grow louder as the international community demands a thorough investigation into the disturbing actions of the Israeli forces.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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