Palestinian family claims soldiers used boy to pressure wanted father to turn himself in

A Palestinian family alleges that Israeli forces used a 12-year-old boy as leverage to pressure his wanted father to turn himself in, according to a family member’s testimony shared on X earlier this week.

The incident reportedly occurred during a predawn raid in the northern West Bank town of Kafr ad-Dik. Soldiers stormed the home of the al-Deek family, searching for Ahmad Abdul Karim al-Deek, who is wanted by Israeli authorities but who was not present at the time.

According to the family, troops blindfolded and restrained his 12-year-old son, also named Ahmed, and took photos of the child. The images were allegedly sent to the father via WhatsApp, with threats to arrest his son and other family members if he did not surrender himself to authorities.

In addition, the family claims the boy was forced at gunpoint to record a voice message pleading with his father to surrender out of fear for his safety.

This child is Ahmad Abdul Karim al-Deek, a 12-year-old boy from the village of Kafr ad-Dik, Slfit, West Bank. Yesterday, Israeli forces raided his family’s home in search of his father, who they want.

When they couldn’t find him, the soldiers blindfolded and bound the child,… pic.twitter.com/u38F7UgXks

— Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) April 21, 2025