Just hours after a ceasefire brought momentary relief to Gaza, 13-year-old Zakariya Barbakh was shot dead. Born without a lung, Zakariya had spent most of his life in hospitals, dreaming of a transplant that could save him. When the ceasefire began, he was overjoyed, telling his mother, “Now we can go look for my lungs!” But less than a day later, his life was cut short. Doctors at Nasser Hospital say he was killed by an Israeli sniper in Rafah while searching for wood to help his family cook and stay warm.

Zakariya’s mother wept as she spoke to reporters, “He didn’t die from his disease; he ended up dying at the hands of the occupation. All he wanted was to breathe. What did he do to deserve this?” The Israeli military stated they were unaware of the incident.

Sadly, Zakariya isn’t alone. At least four Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, despite warnings from Israeli forces about “very dangerous” zones near Gaza