Israel, in her war against the Palestinians in Gaza, targeted the mosques, so, the family of Yahia Al Taweel feared that Israel might shell Al Qassam mosque adjacent to their house in the center of Gaza. Therefore, the family headed to the grandfather's house at Block C in Al Nusayrat Camp in pursuit of safety. However, the Israeli death ghost followed them there and snatched from them the four-year-old Zakaria.

On January 6, 2009, Zakaria returned with his mother and sisters to their house to fetch some objects they needed. Zakaria left his mother inside the house and went out with his sister to go to their uncle's nearby house. No sooner had they reached the house doorstep than the occupation planes launched rockets at a house on Salheddin Road. The shrapnel and the house rubble flew off all over the place. A shrapnel hit Zaharia's help and he was immediately martyred.

His sister, Isra'a at that time was getting ready to perform her Zuhr (noon) prayer. As soon as she heard the sound of explosion, her heart jumped with fright and worry about Zakaria. She hurried toward the door to take him in her arms but she found him dead. She carried him on her arms and looked for an ambulance but found none. He had gone. All the family loved Zakaria who was born after six daughters. He was pampered and shy. Before leaving for his uncle's house with his sister Isra'a he placed himself in his mother's lap and said in his innocent childish manner. "I love two, mother. Do you know who they are?" He then said smiling, "Guess who." After a while of silence, he hugged her and said, "I love mother and father. That is why I'd love to give you a big kiss." He gave his mother his last big kiss on the forehead. His mother, with tears in her eyes, said, " He asked me to kiss him as well. I kissed him and he hugged me, then he left."

Zakari's absence left a deep wound in her heart. She says, "He was getting ready to join the nursery of Al Bustan after the summer vacation. I bought him the backpack and he insisted on having painting notebooks and coloring pens. He had not stay to paint with his little hands…..he had gone." He used to carry his bag on his back and go down the street as if he were going to the nursery. He came back and placed his painting notebooks and coloring pen on a small table that was suitable for his little body. He used to paint lines, and roses but they never blossomed.