On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, Osama Abu Nassar was apprehended by Israeli military forces after allegedly venturing into a restricted zone near a supermarket in central Gaza with his 18-month-old son, Jawad. Following over 10 hours in detention, Jawad was returned to his mother, Waad al-Shafi’i, showing signs of injuries on his legs resembling punctures and burns.
Al-Shafi’i, unaware of her husband and son’s whereabouts for most of the day, was informed by the International Committee of the Red Cross to collect Jawad from Al-Maghazi market. Upon retrieval, Jawad appeared distressed, wrapped in a thermal blanket with bloodstains on his clothing. Al-Shafi’i noticed burn marks and wounds on his legs, causing her to suspect abuse.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) refuted allegations of mistreatment, asserting that the child received proper care and medical attention while under their supervision. The IDF released footage of the handover to the Red Cross, emphasizing Jawad’s stable condition.
Medical examination at Al-Aqsa Hospital revealed circular puncture marks consistent with cigarette burns on Jawad’s legs. Doctors ruled out bullet wounds, noting deep burns likely caused by torture. Despite IDF claims of injuries from gunfire splinters, X-rays showed no foreign objects inside Jawad’s body.
Eyewitnesses recounted the events leading to Abu Nassar’s detainment, with neighbors attempting to intervene as IDF soldiers apprehended him and Jawad. The IDF accused Abu Nassar of using his son as a shield in a restricted area, while he denied any affiliation with Hamas.
The family expressed distress over the incident, with concerns about Osama’s well-being and lack of information from authorities. Calls for an independent investigation into the alleged abuse have surfaced, urging accountability for the treatment of Palestinians, particularly children, in custody.