Israeli army dog mauled a pregnant Palestinian woman

Tahrir Husni al-Arian, who was nine months pregnant, suffered severe injuries to her leg from an attack by an Israeli combat dog, which also resulted in the death of her baby. She recounted her traumatic experience to Middle East Eye.

The Palestinian mother of three was at her residence in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, alongside her husband and children when the Israeli military conducted an incursion into their neighborhood, al-Manara, on 24 October 2024.

The assault by the dog, which persisted for approximately ten minutes, inflicted excruciating pain on Arian and led to complications that would endure for several months, ultimately culminating in the loss of her newborn child.

Since that incident, the 34-year-old has been unable to return to her home, struggling with profound psychological trauma.

"It has only been recently that I have mustered the courage to discuss this. For two months, whenever family members inquired about the incident, I would respond, ‘Please, do not mention it, I am terrified.’"

Following the onset of the Israeli ground invasion of the Gaza Strip in late October 2023, reports of combat dog attacks on civilians have become increasingly frequent, with the Israeli military systematically utilizing these dogs to search buildings equipped with cameras.

In December, Tel Aviv University released a video on social media showcasing the creation of an “engineering war room” on its campus to assist Israeli military operations.

This facility has been engaged in developing technologies for the military, including a live-streaming system for cameras mounted on dogs, which are linked to lethal attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

The video underscored the university’s collaboration with numerous academics and students who are serving as reservists in the Israeli military.