GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Israeli authorities returned April 22 the body of Youssef Abu Jazar, a 16-year-old Palestinian who was killed on the Gaza border with Israel while taking part in the return marches called for by Palestinian factions between March 30, 2018, and December 2019.

Jasser Abu Jazar, Youssef’s father, said his son was shot dead on April 29, 2018, during one of the the peaceful marches, noting that the Israeli army had detained his body for three years. The family was informed about the death of their son by the Israeli army via the Palestinian liaison office the day after his killing.

Jasser told Al-Monitor, “We never lost hope of getting his body back, although three years have passed since his death. Today we celebrate his return by throwing flowers at him. We will bury him in Gaza so that we can visit him at any time.”

Youssef was kindhearted and liked to play and have fun, his father said. “He always told me and his mother about his dream of going to university outside the Gaza Strip, but Israel killed his dream. What would push Israeli soldiers to kill a child who is not part of any military faction and was peacefully participating in the marches?”