Zain Riyad Ishkantna

Their life

Zain Riyad Hasan Ishkantna, only 2 years old, was one of the youngest victims of the Israeli airstrikes on al-Wehda Street in Gaza City on May 16, 2021. He was killed alongside his mother, Abeer Nimir Ali Ishkantna (30), and his three siblings, Dana (9), Yehya (5), and Lana (3), when their home collapsed under the force of the missiles. Too young to understand the violence surrounding him, Zain’s short life was defined by innocence and the warmth of his family. His death symbolized the loss of an entire generation of children in Gaza, taken before they could even begin to experience life.

Zain was born in Gaza City in 2019 into a family that faced the hardships of life under blockade but was surrounded by the love of his parents and siblings. As the youngest child, he was often held close by his mother and doted on by his older sisters and brother. His family hoped to give him a safe and happy childhood despite the instability around them. On the night of May 16, 2021, Israeli warplanes carried out heavy airstrikes on residential buildings in al-Wehda Street, one of Gaza’s most populated neighborhoods. The missiles struck without warning, and the Ishkantna home collapsed. Zain, still in his mother’s arms, was killed instantly along with her and his siblings. Their deaths were part of a massacre that killed 37 civilians, including 11 children and 9 women, wiping out entire families such as the Abu al-Ouf, al-Qulaq, al-Ifranji, and Ishkantna households. For his surviving relatives, Zain’s killing epitomized the devastating impact of war on Gaza’s youngest generation—children who never had the ch

How they died

Zain was killed when Israeli missiles struck and destroyed his family’s home, crushing him under the rubble.

The cause of Zain’s death was the destruction of his family’s residential building during Israeli airstrikes on May 16, 2021. The bombardment targeted multiple four-story residential structures on al-Wehda Street, al-Rimal neighborhood, Gaza City, collapsing them without warning and burying their occupants. At only 2 years old, Zain was in his mother’s arms when the building came down, and he died instantly along with her and his three siblings. The same attack killed dozens of others, including children from the Abu al-Ouf and al-Qulaq families. Human rights organizations described the attack as a grave violation of international law, pointing to the disproportionate targeting of civilians.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Zain Riyad Ishkantna, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources