A’ed Abu Amro, the ‘iconic‘ Palestinian shirtless protestor, whose photograph had gone viral on social media, with the image being compared with the historical French Revolution painting, ‘Liberty Leading the People’ was injured by Israeli troops in the most recent protests, according to a report by RT.
Amro was among those injured by Israeli sniper fire on Monday, according to multiple activists and journalists reporting from the area. Photos show him being carried away on a stretcher.
Today, the #Israeli forces injured Aed Abu Amro who became an icon of the #Palestinian freedom after a photo of him protesting and raising the Palestinian flag went viral. His photo was actually compared to the iconic French Revolution painting. pic.twitter.com/4leAikUd2c
— We Are Not Numbers #Gaza (@WeAreNotNumbers) November 5, 2018
A’ed Abu Amro, of this iconic photo, was one of at least 21 reportedly shot by Israeli snipers today in #Gaza, while participating in a demonstration in support of a Palestinian Freedom Ship that set sail to challenge Israel’s naval blockade. #Flotilla #Palestine pic.twitter.com/gIC1amSpVg
— Huwaida Arraf (@huwaidaarraf) November 5, 2018
The image had been taken on October 22 by Mustafa Hassouna of Turkey’s Anadolu Agency and had been retweeted over 5,000 times. The young boy had been later identified as 20-year-old Palestinian A’ed Abu Amro who lives in al-Zaytoun neighbourhood in Gaza City.
On Twitter, comparison sprouted between the ‘iconic’ image of Amro and the French Revolution and David vs Goliath and Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea who supports the Greeks against the Trojans in the Trojan War.
Amro was reportedly shot in the leg and is recovering at a Gaza hospital. As many as two dozen people were shot, according to human rights activist Huwaida Arraf. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated ten casualties, including a journalist and a child.
Since March 30, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have demanding their right to return back from the homes they were expelled from 70 years ago along the border fence, dubbing it ‘The Great March of Return’.
Israeli forces have killed at least 205 Palestinians of which include journalists and paramedics, and have injured more than 18,000.