Look: Palestinian baker keeps lion cubs as pets on Gaza rooftop

The 75-day-old male & female cubs have become playthings for bored neighbours of the baker

Published: November 16, 2020 14:07 Reuters and compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Producer

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On the roof of an apartment block in one of Gaza's most crowded cities, two lion cubs prowl among the water tanks and dine on slaughtered chickens as children take selfies. Image Credit: REUTERS

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It is a bizarre sight even in a war-scarred Gaza Strip that has become accustomed to the unaccustomed. Image Credit: REUTERS

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The 75-day-old male and female cubs, Fathy and Filisteen (Palestine), have become playthings for bored neighbours of their owner, bakery owner Naseem Abu Jamea. Image Credit: REUTERS

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"It is my hobby, I was attached to them and I love to have them," said Abu Jamea, 27. "I hope one day I can have my own zoo." | Above: Abu Jamea holds one of his two pet lion cubs that he bought from a local zoo, in Khan Younis. Image Credit: REUTERS

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A boy plays with a lion cub. Abu Jamea said he got the cubs from a local zoo but declined to give further details. Image Credit: REUTERS

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As his nephews, brothers and neighbours' children played with the animals, he dismissed the risks. Image Credit: REUTERS

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"When you raise them as babies, a harmony will grow between both of you and (they) will not hurt you," said Abu Jamea. Image Credit: REUTERS

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A boy holds one of the lion cubs on the rooftop of Naseem Abu Jamea. Image Credit: REUTERS

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A boy plays with one of the lion cubs. Image Credit: REUTERS

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