Jawad is 20 months old. In the quiet moments in central Gaza, he is often seen cradled in the arms of his mother, Waad Al-Shafie, wearing a brown sweater decorated with minor dogs and clutching a bottle of milk. But beneath the fabric of his clothes are four deep wounds on his legs—marks that have sparked a volatile dispute over the treatment of civilians in the conflict zone.
The injuries were discovered after Jawad and his father, Osama Abu Nassar, disappeared for 12 hours on March 19. The family alleges that the toddler was tortured while in the custody of Israeli forces, specifically claiming the wounds are cigarette burns. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have categorically denied these claims, asserting that the child was used as a human shield by Hamas and that any injuries were the result of shrapnel from warning shots.
The case of the baby Jawad found with injuries has become a focal point for the broader debate regarding the safety of non-combatants and the conditions of short-term detentions in the Gaza Strip. While the child has been returned to his mother, his father remains in custody, leaving a family fractured by both physical and psychological trauma.
A 12-Hour Disappearance
The incident began on the afternoon of March 19, when Osama Abu Nassar took his son for a walk through their neighborhood, located near Israeli checkpoints. According to witnesses who spoke with the family, the walk ended abruptly when Israeli soldiers opened fire. Witnesses described a drone hovering over the father, ordering him to drop the child, and move.
Shortly thereafter, both the father and the 20-month-old were taken by soldiers. For the next 12 hours, the family had no knowledge of their whereabouts. The silence was broken by a call from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which informed the family that the Israeli military had handed over the baby.
When Waad Al-Shafie retrieved her son, she described him as exhausted and wrapped in a thermal blanket. It was only after returning home and removing the blanket that she noticed bloodstains on the boy’s trousers.
Medical Assessments and Allegations
Following the discovery of the wounds, Jawad was taken to al-Aqsa Hospital for a medical examination. Bisan Ahmed, a healthcare worker who participated in the assessment, noted that while the wounds were not exceptionally deep, their appearance suggested a specific cause.
Ahmed stated that the circular nature of the burns on the right leg indicated they were likely caused by cigarette butts or a similar hot metal object. On the left leg, the injuries appeared consistent with contact from a metal object. The consistency of the circular marks led medical staff to conclude that the injuries resulted from a repetitive method of burning.
The family’s account is underscored by the environment in which they now live—a smoke-filled room cluttered with empty flour sacks, reflecting the systemic collapse of food security and infrastructure in the region.
The IDF Response
The Israeli Defense Forces have dismissed the allegations of torture as “Hamas propaganda,” stating that the claim of mishandling a toddler has “no root in reality.”
In a statement, an IDF spokesperson alleged that the child was brought into a high-risk combat zone by a Hamas soldier and utilized as a human shield. The military further claimed that Osama Abu Nassar, the child’s father, was operating in conjunction with Hamas forces at the time of his capture.
Regarding the physical injuries, the IDF maintained that they provided the baby with necessary health care and follow-up. They suggested that the burns observed on the child’s legs were not the result of torture, but rather shrapnel injuries caused by the firing of warning shots during the operation.
The Human Cost of Detention
While Jawad is back with his mother, the fate of Osama Abu Nassar remains uncertain. The IDF claims that the father has confessed to being a Hamas soldier, a charge the family vehemently denies. Waad Al-Shafie describes her husband as a man who had been struggling with deep depression and psychological pressure in the weeks leading up to the incident, citing a lack of employment and the constant sound of gunfire surrounding their home.
The case highlights the precarious nature of civilian life in central Gaza, where the proximity to military checkpoints often results in sudden detentions and fragmented families. The psychological toll on the survivors is compounded by a landscape of ruins and a healthcare system operating under extreme duress.
According to data from the World Health Organization, the conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties, with a significant percentage being women and children. The occupation of large swathes of the Gaza Strip continues, while diplomatic efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire and the release of all detainees remain stalled.
For Waad Al-Shafie, the conflict is no longer a matter of geopolitical statistics, but a daily struggle to heal her son while waiting for a husband who may or may not return.
This report involves descriptions of injuries to a minor. For those affected by the conflict or experiencing psychological distress, support is available through the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) mental health programs operating in the region.
The next phase of this case depends on the legal status of Osama Abu Nassar. The family continues to seek information regarding his location and the charges against him, while international human rights monitors continue to track reports of civilian treatment in detention centers.
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