'Guardian of animals': Fears north Gaza's only vet has been killed by Israel forces during truce

Israeli forces are suspected to have killed north Gaza’s last remaining vet despite a ceasefire being in effect, triggering a wave of tributes to pour in for the 'guardian of animals' and calls for accountability.

Dr. Mu’ath Abu Rukba went missing on 10 October, the day the ceasefire commenced, allowing him to make his way to his home in the Jabalia area to check on the damage caused to the building amid two years of Israeli shelling and air strikes.

Since he went missing, many Palestinians are concerned about his disappearance, demanding that Israel confirm whether he has been detained or killed.

A Gaza-based animal welfare organisation, Sulala Animal Rescue, also urged clarification on Abu Rukba’s whereabouts.

In a video posted by the organisation on 17 October, one of the doctors said that he was aware of the alarm about Abu Rukba’s disappearance but had not yet received any information.

"Dr Mu’ath is a very good man. He is kind, he is merciful, he has never exploited people, he has never harmed or killed animals," the doctor said, adding that the organisation was "in touch with his family every day" and hoped for good news.

However, on Sunday, Palestinians on the ground in Gaza reported that he had been killed.

In a follow-up video from Sulala Animal Rescue posted on Sunday, another doctor stated in an emotional clip that "Dr Mu’ath is a martyr". He added that his brother had informed them of his killing after going to the location he was last heard from.

"He was shot by the army," the doctor stated in the video, adding that the area had become a death zone.

His colleagues described him as "exceptional" and said he was "in a constant state of preparedness to come and help any animal".

Since he was pronounced dead, many activists have mourned Abu Rukba online, shedding light on the importance of his work and his good character.

"Palestinian veterinarian Mu’ath Abu Rakba’s body was recovered today. He spent his final years treating hundreds of animals injured & starved by the Israeli siege. Israel murdered him in a designated 'safe zone'," one person commented.

"Veterinarian Dr. Moath Abu Rukbeh was determined martyred after being missing for more than a week. He was the only veterinarian capable of performing surgeries in northern Gaza and worked tirelessly with Sulala Animal Rescue, saving the lives of dozens of animals," another wrote.

Others remembered him for caring for animals despite Israel deliberately blocking aid from entering the enclave, which resulted in famine and dozens of people dying of starvation.

Abu Rukba had started a GoFundMe fundraiser during the war on Gaza, which killed at least 67,000 people, to help get vital food and drink into the enclave.

He had said prices were skyrocketing and needed help to rebuild his clinic.

According to the page, Abu Rukba had established his own clinic just one year before the war, which was destroyed in an Israeli bombardment.

According to Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, Israel has destroyed nearly all of Gaza’s animal welfare facilities, through bombing and systematic starvation.