Field Update

28 May 2020

On Tuesday, a child was killed while he played with an explosive object near his house in Beit Lahia. This incident is part of the state of security chaos and proliferation of weapons prevailing in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 07:50 on Tuesday, 26 May 2020, Ziyad Jalal Rezeq Abu Laila (14) arrived at the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip; the right side of his chest and abdomen were severely lacerated, his left thigh, left hand and face were distorted, and his right hand was amputated. Abu Laila was immediately admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU ), where his death was announced 10 minutes later. Abu Laila’s body was referred to the Forensic Department in al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

According to field investigations, Abu Laila played with an explosive object that he found near his house located in Tal al-Dahab area in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip. As a result, the object exploded, and Abu Laila sustained severe wounds and later died.

The Palestinian police arrived at the scene, inspected it and opened an investigation to identify the circumstances of the incident.

PCHR regrets the killing of Abu Laila, expresses concern over the increasing number of victims due to incidents of mishandled weapons and calls upon the competent authorities to take all necessary measures to protect civilians from the dangers of weapons.