Israel Calls Report Claiming Its Forces Burnt Gaza Toddler With Cigarettes "Propaganda"

Israel has dismissed a report claiming the Israeli forces have tortured an 18-month-old boy in central Gaza in an attempt to coerce his father into making confessions, calling it "completely unfounded" and "Hamas propaganda". The clarification came after a Palestine TV report alleged the toddler, identified as Karim, was detained with his father, Osama Abu Nassar, near the Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Footage aired by the broadcaster showed visible injuries on the child's body.

Israel's Clarification

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), in a statement, said the toddler was brought by a Hamas operative into a dangerous area to be used as a human shield.

"Once transferred to IDF troops, the child received care and was under the full supervision of an IDF physician and additional troops until handed over to the Red Cross at the earliest opportunity. The troops acted to ensure the toddler's safety and provided the necessary medical attention," the statement said.

The IDF explained that last Thursday, its troops operating in the Yellow Line area identified a suspect approaching while holding an unidentified object, later found to be a toddler approximately 3 years old. They said that despite repeated calls to stop and move away, the suspect continued toward the forces, coming within a very short distance of several tens of metres.

"Consequently, warning fire was directed to the roadside to create distance between the suspect and the troops in the area," the statement said.

The Israeli forces claimed that the fire was not aimed to harm but intended to compel the suspect to stop and move away from the area. They claimed that it was likely that splinters resulting from the fire caused minor injuries to both the suspect and the toddler.

"The suspect was apprehended by the troops and taken to a nearby military post, where he received medical treatment and was questioned. During questioning, he identified himself as a Hamas operative and admitted entering Israeli territory during the October 7th massacre. He confessed to bringing his toddler son with him to prevent harm if he approached IDF troops," they said.

The Palestinian Report

Quoting witnesses, Palestive TV reported that Abu Nassar had been emotionally shaken by the recent death of a horse he relied on for his livelihood. While taking his young son to buy supplies, he came under Israeli gunfire close to his home. Soldiers allegedly ordered him to leave the 18-month-old on the ground and walk toward a military checkpoint, where he was stripped and interrogated.

During the interrogation, Israeli forces tortured the child in his father's presence, the report said. A medical assessment confirmed cigarette burns on the boy's leg, puncture wounds, and injuries consistent with a nail being inserted into the limb.

Karim was released roughly ten hours later and returned to his family through the International Committee of the Red Cross in Al-Maghazi. His father, however, remains in Israeli custody.

Relatives have appealed to international organisations to intervene for the father's release, stressing that he urgently needs ongoing medical care.

The Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR) in a statement, called the incident a "revolting moral outrage that demands immediate action from Congress."

"No child, anywhere in the world, should be subjected to such cruelty, especially with American taxpayer dollars. These actions constitute grave violations of international law and basic human decency," the ICAR said.

"Our nation must end its complicity in these crimes. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are not used to support the torture or slaughter of more children. Every lawmaker with a conscience must vote to end military aid for the out-of-control Israeli regime," it added.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf shared the news report of the incident and wrote in a post on X, "Iran is fighting for humanity. The world is either with Gaza and against this colonial terror regime, or it stands with the Epstein class and child torturers. There is no middle ground."

At least 677 Palestinians have lost their lives and a further 1,813 have been wounded in Israeli strikes across Gaza since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect in October 2025, according to the health ministry.

The truce brought an end to Israel's two-year military campaign, which claimed the lives of more than 72,000 Palestinians and left over 171,000 others wounded since it began in October 2023 - leaving in its wake the destruction of roughly 90% of the territory's civilian infrastructure.