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A Palestinian veterinarian was killed by Israeli soldiers as he returned to his home in northern Gaza after a ceasefire took effect, his employer has said.
Dr. Muath Abu Rukbeh, who was described as a “compassionate” and “exceptional” veterinarian, died when he inadvertently crossed Israel’s “yellow buffer zone”, which marks the withdrawal point for Israeli forces in the occupied strip, according to Sulala Animal Rescue, where he worked. He is among several Palestinians who were shot while crossing the border after the ceasefire.
Dr Muath, 30, left his tent where he was living in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on October 10 – the same day a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into force. He wanted to return to his home in Jabaliya to collect his belongings, as he had previously been displaced by the war. His wife and two young sons, aged three and 20 months, remained at home for security reasons.
According to Sulala, Dr. Muath believed it was safe to return home because there was little communication or clarity from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) about where the line begins.
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Hours after leaving Deir al-Balah, his family became worried after all contact with him was lost. He was missing for nine days, Sulala’s co-workers and local residents were sent to search for him.
The search team also included Dr Muath’s brother, who said they had found a row of bodies near the family home. He also claimed that he has seen a person being killed by a drone for crossing the yellow line.
Dr. Muath’s brother said he was just 500 meters from home when Israeli soldiers opened fire on him. He was unable to locate his brother’s body and hoped that he had been captured rather than killed.
On 19 October, Dr Muath’s body was discovered and his brother was alerted.
Sulala Animal Rescue spokesperson Annelies Cuellars said Independent: “He made a rational decision. He looked at the map, he tried to stay safe, and in the end, he had very bad luck.
“He didn’t deserve this. His family didn’t deserve this. And we’re very sad that this happened, and we hope no one else is killed, but unfortunately, we know that probably many more innocent people will be murdered.”
Ms Culliers described Dr Muath as a “very loyal” and “fair” man who was “always patient and kind” and very dedicated to his work, his care of animals and humans.
Despite the lack of resources and medicines available to treat animals during Israel’s war, he persevered and “never even asked for help”.
She added: “He was there for us every day at night, really, like if they had an emergency they could call him in the middle of the night, and he’d come over to help an animal.”
The animal rescue organization where he worked also posted a video on Twitter confirming the death of their veterinarian. In the video, another spokesperson for Sulala Animal Rescue said: “Dr Muath was very dear to us. We spent difficult and beautiful days together. Dr Muath is a very extraordinary person. He was very respectful and admirable. He treated people and animals with kindness.”
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“Dr. Muath worked with us on many cases. He was always ready to treat any animal. He was always ready to help any animal. We are very sad to lose him. We wish his family patience.”
Dr. Muath’s family was evacuated and displaced 14 times during Israel’s brutal military offensive in Gaza. The price of land skyrocketed during the war, meaning the family could no longer afford to live anywhere else. So she was forced to dangerously pitch her family’s tent with two small children on the roof of another family member’s house.
Last month, a UN commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide in the Gaza Strip – which Israel denies.
Independent The IDF has been contacted about Dr. Muath’s death, but has received no response.