Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, criticized Israeli soldiers for using dogs against detained Palestinians.
Responding to inquiries from Anadolu news agency, Laurence addressed multiple allegations, including the use of dogs for attacks, acts of sexual violence, and the use of a wounded Palestinian as a human shield in the occupied West Bank.
“We are aware of reports indicating that dogs have been deployed against detainees, resulting in attacks and bites in some instances,” Laurence stated in written responses.
He emphasized that such actions represent serious violations of Israel’s obligations under international law regarding the treatment of protected persons under occupation, as well as under international human rights law concerning the rights to life, health, and the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Regarding the incident in Jenin, where Israeli soldiers allegedly tied a wounded Palestinian to the front of a military vehicle and used him as a human shield, Laurence referenced a press release from the OHCHR regional office condemning the incident.
“In the occupied West Bank, OHCHR condemns ongoing and blatant violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, which Israel is bound to uphold as the occupying power,” the press release stated.
The incident occurred on June 22 during an Israeli military raid on a house in the El-Jabariyyat neighborhood of Jenin, resulting in injuries to three young men from gunfire. One of the wounded individuals was reportedly used as a human shield, while medical teams were reportedly obstructed from reaching the injured Palestinians.
