- Title: In Gaza, family lights candles to mourn son on his 14th birthday
- Date: 9th April 2018
- Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (APRIL 9, 2018) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MOTHER, EMAN MADI, CRYING AFTER 14-YEAR OLD SON, HUSSEIN MADI, WAS KILLED IN A PROTEST ON FRIDAY (APRIL 6)
- Embargoed: 23rd April 2018 18:25
- Keywords: Gaza-Israel border Israel security Palestinian protesters Palestinians killed in Gaza-Israel border clashes Palestinians conflict tent city protest protests
- Location: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- City: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA0018APICET
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Monday should have been Hussein Madi's 14th birthday. Instead, his family sits mourning him in a tent in Gaza.
The boy was shot dead three days earlier by Israeli troops, the youngest of 30 Palestinians killed in an ongoing protest at the border with Israel.
His mother Eman cries as she greets friends, relatives and neighbours at the family's home in Gaza City.
"He was very kind to me. He would always ask me to prepare the food he likes. He had asked me on his birthday that we go out and buy clothes for him, to go out and eat together at a restaurant," Eman said.
Madi is not the only teenager killed in recent clashes. In the Zamli home, family members are also mourning the loss of the Alaa, who was 15 when he was killed.
Israel's government has accused militants such as Gaza's dominant Hamas group of fanning "The Great March of Return" protests along the fence separating Israel and Gaza, and using them as cover to launch attacks.
Protesters have denied the accusations, saying the demonstrations are meant to press for the right to return to the homes their families fled during violence surrounding the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.
At nightfall on Monday, Hussein's uncle set out some candles on a tyre lying on the sandy floor of the mourning tent. Dozens joined him in singing Happy Birthday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None