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US soldiers who served near Gaza adopt abandoned dogs
The Times of Israel ^ | February 9, 2026 | Sue Surkes

Posted on 02/09/2026 7:25:56 AM PST by Twotone

Three adult dogs and seven puppies found abandoned near the Gaza border will be flown to the US for adoption by American soldiers who served in the area during the Gaza war.

The soldiers discovered the animals and decided they couldn’t leave them behind, according to Israel’s Let the Animals Live association.

Let the Animals Live said it was caring for the canines in kennels before they are flown out, while also dealing with the export bureaucracy and ensuring that all shots are up to date.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (International) is funding most of the medical treatment and flight costs.

The animals will be flown together to New York on February 19, and from there will be sent to their new homes. The soldiers, now back in the US, have each chosen a dog to adopt and a name for it.

“At a time when reality is complex, this story reminds us that even within a war zone, there is room for compassion and responsibility,” said Yael Arkin, CEO of Let the Animals Live. “The soldiers chose to take on a long-term commitment — not just to rescue, but to adopt and provide a warm home.”

(Excerpt) Read more at timesofisrael.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: abandoneddogs; dog; dogs; gaza; hamas; hezbollah; iran; islamofascism; islamofascists; koranimals; lettheanimalslive; spca; suesurkes; ussoldiers; yaelarkin; yemen

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1 posted on 02/09/2026 7:25:56 AM PST by Twotone
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To: Twotone

So glad to hear this!

I remember hearing about the dogs left behind after the US pulled out of Afghanistan.

That had mostly a happy ending too:

“Approximately 130 dogs—mostly contract working dogs and personal pets— could not be evacuated due to logistical and regulatory barriers, including a CDC ban on importing dogs from high-rabies-risk countries like Afghanistan.

U.S. troops assisted by relocating the dogs to a safer compound on the airport grounds with food and water before departure. Animal welfare groups, including SPCA International and American Humane, condemned the situation and launched rescue efforts.

Eventually, over 285 dogs and cats were evacuated in early 2022 through international rescue missions, with animals flown to Canada for quarantine and rehoming. Some dogs reportedly fell into Taliban hands, with uncertain fates, though rescue organizations continue efforts to secure and transport remaining animals.”


2 posted on 02/09/2026 7:34:55 AM PST by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: Twotone

Being a dog in a Muslim town ain’t good for any dog.


3 posted on 02/09/2026 7:36:27 AM PST by blackdog (The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.)
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To: Twotone

President Trump has complained that when Biden abruptly pulled the US armed forces out of Afghanistan in the middle of the night, the dogs were left behind.


4 posted on 02/09/2026 7:58:27 AM PST by Fiji Hill
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To: Twotone

I hope they don’t get accused of taking food from Gazans!


5 posted on 02/09/2026 8:05:05 AM PST by aynrandfreak (Being a Democrat means never having to say you're sorry)
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To: Twotone

So this is confirmation that there were US boots on the ground in or near Gaza? I thought the only people we had there were working Patriot batteries? Interesting.


6 posted on 02/09/2026 8:25:46 AM PST by happyathome
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To: blackdog

being a dog in any extremist/terrorist Islamic town isn’t good for any dog, yes
but it sure beats being a goat there?


7 posted on 02/09/2026 8:56:13 AM PST by faithhopecharity ("Politicians aren't born, they're excreted." Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 to 43 BCE))
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To: Twotone

In 2001/2 Special Forces Soldiers adopted 2 dogs from Afghanistan, Jdams and Cas (close air support). Taking them to the USA became international and Military hierarchy issues/conflicts. Last I saw the dogs we when they were taken off the plane in Germany April 2002, hope they made it home.


8 posted on 02/09/2026 10:53:36 AM PST by where's_the_Outrage? (Drain the Swamp. Build the Wall)
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To: Twotone

“American soldiers who served in the area during the Gaza war”


9 posted on 02/09/2026 10:57:23 AM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: happyathome

It’s no secrets. There were about 200 soldiers working logistics for aid into Gaza.

Basically helping unload USA planes and boats.

There are always some USA forces training on Israeli missile systems because we use their systems or their upgrades of our systems. I, myself, did that a long time ago. Easily the best deployment of my life. Don’t think I paid for a drink or a meal the entire time I was there. Either the restaurant would refuse to take our money, some customer would pay, or pretty girls made us come to their house and cooked for us.


10 posted on 02/09/2026 12:14:09 PM PST by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: TheThirdRuffian

OK that makes sense - I hadn’t realized it was already public that US troops were in Gaza and that it was logistical. Thanks.


11 posted on 02/09/2026 2:54:44 PM PST by happyathome
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