Down Syndrome International (DSi), a global network for individuals with Down Syndrome, condemned the murder of 24-year-old Muhammad Bhar, an autistic man with Down Syndrome, by the Israeli occupation forces, in Gaza. 

The IOF raided Muhammad's home in the Shujaiya neighborhood in Gaza, locked him in a separate room away from his family, ordered them to leave, and released an attack dog that mauled him to death. 

When his family was able to come back home, Muhammad had been killed. 

BBC's original title, "The lonely death of Gaza man with Down’s Syndrome," has drawn intense backlash on social media outlets and mainstream media for being a misleading, passive, and dehumanizing headline.
Even though BBC also posted a disclaimer on its X account: “This post… pic.twitter.com/GiYWPtsrv1

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 18, 2024

In a statement released by the network, several accounts of "distressing" incidents during which the IOF tortured and abused Palestinians with Down Syndrome and disabilities, more so after their families were killed in the continuous bombardment of the Gaza Strip. 

DSi's member organization in Gaza, the Right to Live Society, relayed the "severe hardships" that are imposed on the Down Syndrome community and sounded alarms because it had lost contact with multiple families and community members since "Israel" launched its onslaught last October. 

The calamity is further exacerbated due to the destruction of the organization's facilities and centers, which disrupts its ability to provide necessary healthcare services, including "early development interventions, and vocational programs."

According to the network, Programme Director Nathan Rowe delivered a compelling statement to the Civil Society Forum at the United Nations Conference of State Parties, highlighting the severe impact of conflict on individuals with Down syndrome and their families, drawing from real-world examples within our network, including those from Gaza.

DSi emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire by all involved parties and called for the unconditional release of all hostages and stressed the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law and prioritizing the protection of all civilians, particularly those with disabilities.

How 'Israel' targets vulnerable communities in Gaza

The IOF continues violating international humanitarian law by targeting vulnerable communities in Gaza. 

In late June, the Palestinian NGO Network Rehabilitation Sector around 10,000 Palestinians developed various disabilities as a result of the attacks.

The NGO reported that the aggression has driven tens of thousands of disabled people to escape, subjecting them to difficult living circumstances and serious psychological damage, according to the organization.

The statement noted that Israeli destruction of infrastructure, important roadways, and rehabilitation facilities has severely limited the movement and access to services for people with disabilities. This has substantially reduced their capacity to evacuate safely and has resulted in the loss of critical assistive devices left behind amid the bombardment. 

In addition, the lives of people with disabilities are jeopardized owing to severe shortages of water, food, energy, drugs, and medical and rehabilitation facilities. 

Displaced people with disabilities confront enormous challenges in overcrowded and under-equipped shelters that lack basic amenities, further limiting their access to humanitarian supplies, sanitary facilities, and other necessities.

The organization emphasized that the inability to provide disabled-friendly shelters, along with congestion, creates an additional barrier to accessing already scarce services. People with disabilities are especially prone to hunger and chronic diseases, which dramatically raises their risk of death.