Updated 2/5/23 at 2:42 AM
Tragedy struck at the Asda tourist complex in Khan Younis. A six-year-old child died after being bitten by a caged lioness in southern Gaza, authorities in the small Palestinian territory said on Monday.
The little boy climbed over a security barrier and then entered the cage of the cat, which attacked him, according to police, who said they were investigating. According to a witness, the lioness bit the head of the child, who slid into the cage after finding a hole in the fence. The child was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
A city that housed the “worst zoo in the world”.
The tourist complex Asda is home to two cats – a lion and a lioness – as well as many birds. It was closed by authorities on Monday after the tragedy.
The town of Khan Younis is notorious for being home to what animal rights NGO Four Paws has called “the worst zoo in the world”. Opened in 2007, this zoo closed in 2016 when the owners, struggling to get food, left many animals to starve.