Israel approves emergency law for euthanising stray dogs near Gaza

The Israeli Knesset yesterday approved in its second and third readings an emergency law allowing veterinarians to euthanise stray dogs near the Gaza Strip.

The law permits euthanasia of dogs found within 20 kilometres of Gaza or 10 kilometres of the northern border with Lebanon if they are considered unfit for adoption within four days.

The bill follows a report by the Agriculture Ministry in December 2023, which estimated 500 stray dogs had entered Israel from Gaza. This number has since grown to approximately 5,000 over the past year.

Israeli organisation Let the Animals Live has reported that stray dogs have become increasingly active in areas from which Palestinians have been forcibly displaced in Gaza, in search of food as Israel’s genocidal bombing of the enclave continues and its siege leaves next to no food available for humans let alone animals.

A report by Israel’s official Kan broadcaster in February revealed that these feral dogs are not solely scavenging but have also attacked Israeli occupation forces stationed in the region.

While Israeli Agriculture Minister, Avi Dichter, voiced concerns about the ordinance permitting euthanasia, he urged Israelis not to approach these dogs or allow them into their homes.

Israel launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, killing over 44,700 Palestinians so far, most of them women and children, and injuring nearly 106,000.

An ongoing blockade of the enclave has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

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