World

Man dead after setting himself on fire in Gaza

05:14 am on 4 September 2012

A young man has died in Gaza after setting himself alight in an apparent protest against his family's living conditions.

Palestinian doctors said Mohamed Abu Nada, 18, poured petrol over himself after walking into the morgue at Shifa hospital in Gaza City last Thursday. Hamas said he died of his wounds on Sunday night.

His father said he had sent his son out to look for work because the family was struggling to make ends meet.

Unemployment in Gaza is around 30%, according to the United Nations.

Some 80% of families in the Palestinian territory are said to receive some sort of food aid from UN agencies and other organisations.

A year ago, a man in Gaza doused himself in petrol and set himself on fire in front of his children, reportedly after his salary was cut by the Palestinian Authority. He is still being treated in hospital.

The BBC reports Thursday's incident is thought to be the first fatality.