Student dies while attempting to hang Palestinian flag at university
- A 21-year-old college student in Tunisia, Fars Khaled, fell from a university structure while attempting to hang a Palestinian flag.
- The incident occurred as a sign of solidarity with a strike organized by the Palestinian Authority in response to the war in Gaza.
- Khaled's death has been ruled an accident by police, prompting mourning from both his university and the Palestinian Authority.
In Tunisia, a tragic incident occurred on Monday night when a 21-year-old college student, Fars Khaled, fell to his death while attempting to raise a Palestinian flag at the Higher School of Science and Design Technology in Den Den. As part of a demonstration of solidarity with a general strike declared by the Palestinian Authority, Khaled sought to hang the flag on a three-story building structure located in the school’s garden. His endeavor took a fatal turn around 8:00 p.m. when he lost his balance, resulting in him falling from the structure. Local police discovered Khaled’s body near the garden structure shortly after the incident. A university guard had alerted the authorities upon noticing the young man's remains. Following the tragedy, police conducted an investigation into Khaled’s death, including reviewing closed-circuit television footage. Their findings ruled out any foul play, concluding that Khaled's fall was an unfortunate accident. In the wake of this incident, the educational institution released an official statement expressing deep sorrow over Khaled's death, describing it as “a painful accident while trying to hang the flag of Palestine.” The Palestinian Authority’s mission in Tunisia also extended condolences to Khaled’s family, highlighting the significant loss to the community. Rami al-Qudumi, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Tunisia, and embassy staff expressed their heartfelt sympathy to the grieving family. Khaled’s actions correlated with a general strike initiated by Palestinian National and Islamic Forces, an umbrella group encompassing various Palestinian factions, including the ruling Fatah party and the Hamas organization. The strike was launched to protest the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, rallying support not just in Judea and Samaria but also in parts of eastern Jerusalem. Additionally, the PNIF called upon their supporters abroad to stand in solidarity either by striking or demonstrating their support for the Palestinian cause. This incident underscores the lengths to which individuals may go to express solidarity in times of conflict, and the tragic consequences that can ensue from such acts.