Three-year-old Palestinian boy killed by Israeli fire in central Gaza

A three-year-old Palestinian boy has been killed by gunfire in central Gaza, according to his family, in an incident that also left his father wounded. The family said Rayan Abu al-Ajeen was being carried by his father when both were shot in the Wadi al-Salqa area of Deir al-Balah governorate on Sunday afternoon. His body was later taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital on Monday.

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The family said Bahaa, the boy's father, was shot in the leg and remains in hospital. Jaber Abu al-Ajeen, the child's grandfather, said he heard gunfire while at home next to the family farm and later learned that his son and grandson had been targeted. He said Rayan was hit in the head, and that Bahaa had been left bleeding for hours before being transferred for treatment.

The Israeli military had not commented on the shooting at the time of publication. The family said the pair had been travelling outside the so-called Yellow Line, an area they described as not under direct Israeli military control, and were heading towards the family's greenhouses when the shooting happened. The account places the incident in an area where civilians are still trying to move and work despite the continuing conflict.

It also adds to concerns about the risks faced by families living and farming near shifting front lines in Gaza. The killing comes against the backdrop of continued Israeli attacks in Gaza since the October ceasefire, which the report says have killed almost 1,000 Palestinians. The same report says more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war in October 2023.

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It also says many of the killings have taken place near the Yellow Line, which Israel has continued to expand despite the ceasefire agreement. The Abu al-Ajeen family said it had long been wary because of its proximity to that line. Jaber Abu al-Ajeen said the family are civilians working in agriculture and that their lands are outside the Yellow Line.

His comments underline how the conflict continues to affect people trying to remain on or return to farmland in central Gaza, where access, movement and safety remain uncertain. What remains unclear is the Israeli military's account of the shooting and whether there will be any formal investigation or further statement. It is also not clear what condition Bahaa will be in after his treatment in hospital.

The incident is likely to draw further attention to civilian movement near the Yellow Line and to the wider impact of the ceasefire's implementation on people living in affected areas.

#Gaza #DeiralBalah #civiliancasualty #Israeliforces #AlAqsaMartyrsHospital

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