GAZA CITY: A tragic incident occurred at the Asda resort in the southern Gaza Strip, as a six-year-old boy lost his life after being mauled by a caged lioness on Monday.
The child climbed over a protective fence and approached the lioness’s cage, resulting in his injury and eventual death. The incident happened in Khan Yunis, where animal welfare charity Four Paws called the zoo the “world’s worst.”
The zoo, which once had a number of animals, was eventually closed down in 2016 after owners struggled to afford food, causing many of the animals to starve to death.
Eyewitnesses described how the boy squeezed his way through a small hole in the fence and approached the cage when the lioness bit his head. Security forces were quick to respond and pulled him away as he bled.
The injured boy was rushed to a nearby hospital, but unfortunately, he was declared dead. Following the tragic incident, the police launched an investigation into the matter and closed the resort, which has another lion as well as a number of birds.
Gaza Strip under blockade by Israel since 2007
The Gaza Strip has been under a blockade led by Israel since 2007, affecting over 2.3 million Palestinians. Over the past 15 years, the region has witnessed several wars between Israel and militant groups in Gaza.
The incident has brought attention to the animal welfare crisis in Gaza and has renewed calls for strict regulations to be put in place to ensure the safety of both animals and visitors at zoos and resorts in the region.
The tragic incident has sparked outrage and sorrow in the community, with people expressing their condolences to the family of the young boy.
Many have also expressed concern about the safety measures in place at the resort, and have called for greater accountability and oversight to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
