Boy mauled to death by lion after climbing inside enclosure as pics shows blood-soaked fencing

A BOY was mauled to death by a lion after climbing into the beast’s enclosure. Hamada Iqtiet, six, was visiting a private zoo in Gaza, Palestine, with his family on Monday when he was savaged by the big cat. CENHamada Iqtiet, six, was mauled to death by a lion[/caption] In the horror images, the lion can be seen mauling the boy after he appeared to become stuck in between the bars of the cage. Police spokesman Col Ayman Al-Batniji said the boy had climbed through the protective fence in the Asdaa Park zoo in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, when he was attacked by the lion. But the boy’s family said that the lad, who was with his mother and other family members, had gone close to an outer fence where the lion was standing when he was attacked. Cops have closed the park until an investigation is complete. It is understood to be the first time anyone has been killed by animals kept at one of the region’s several private zoos. The fatal attack sparked fresh calls for them to be closed, as the animals can not be properly cared for in the crowded and impoverished Palestinian territory. Animals are believed to be kept in deplorable conditions and have suffered from repeated fighting between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers, leading to neglect, starvation and lack of medical care. Although animal rights welfare groups have carried out several rescues of animals, many still remain in the strip that is home to some two million people.