The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, reported Tuesday that one of its fighters was killed and two others were injured in a tunnel collapse accident in the Az-Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza city.The Brigades identified the slain fighter as Mohammad Ahmad As-Sahri, 20, from the Az-Zeitoun neighborhood.
Dr. Ashraf Al-Qodra, spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, stated that the body of the slain fighter and the two wounded residents were moved to the Ash-Shifa medical center in Gaza city.
At least 232 Palestinians have been killed in similar accidents since the Israeli siege was imposed on Gaza in June of 2007. This number includes 20 Palestinians who were killed after the Israeli army bombarded several tunnels as they were in them.
The siege has left Gazan hospitals and medical center out of basic and specialized supplies and equipment, an issue that has led to the death of more than 400 patients, including infants and children. Many patients died while waiting permits from Israel to cross the border for medical treatment.
