Gaza Strip

A generation traumatized



Like many other children in the region, 10-year-old Hiba Hammad from the northern Gaza Strip witnessed atrocities by the Israeli army against the population of Gaza during its assault on the coastal strip last winter. Hiba’s smiled returned only after four months of intensive psychological therapy at the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution. Rami Almeghari reports from the occupied Gaza Strip. 

Second chance at life



Touching the old scar on her forehead, 14-year-old Samah Owda fought back tears while telling her story. For the past four years she has carried on, proving that internal wounds are sometimes more difficult to heal than external ones. As a 10-year-old girl she was given a “new life” and a chance that at the time no one thought would be possible. Eman Mohammed reports from the occupied Gaza Strip. 

Abu Wael's farm



In Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, farmers sow the seeds of wholesome provision, for themselves and their families and their people, and the Israeli forces destroy it. So the farmers come back to plant. And the tanks and bulldozers come back to destroy it again. And the farmers come back to plant. Marryam Haleem writes for Live from Palestine. 

Young love in Gaza



They say that all is fair in love and war. In Gaza, love and war have come together in a bittersweet union. Rana al-Zourby, 26, like many women around the world, dreamed of walking down the aisle in a white dress and veil. But her marriage to Mahmoud al-Zourby is extraordinary in many ways as life is these days in Gaza. Eman Mohammed reports on the young couple’s marriage in the Gaza Strip for The Electronic Intifada. 

Crippled academia unable to recover in Gaza



More than six months after Israel’s winter invasion of Gaza, a number of partially or largely damaged universities await reconstruction. Raw materials essential for rebuilding are unavailable in Gaza primarily because of Israel’s 26-month blockade of the tiny territory. Coupled with the wide-scale destruction from Israel’s 22-day onslaught, the siege has crippled most aspects of public life for Gaza’s 1.5 million residents. Rami Almeghari reports from the Gaza Strip. 

As blockade bites deep, more Gaza children must work



Zaher and Jihad are two boys living in Gaza. Every day they get up early and rush to Gaza City’s streets so that they might find something to sell to those walking or driving by. They are just two of a growing number of children who are forced to work to help feed their families as the Israeli-led blockade of the Gaza Strip continues to take its toll on every aspect of life. Rami Almeghari reports. 

Homeward bound: Gaza in 24 hours



As soon as I arrived home I felt a great relief, if that is the right word. I have been unable to return to Gaza before because of Israel’s winter invasion and the ongoing siege. I am not sure that the word relief summarizes my intense and conflicting emotions. Mixed feelings of relief, happiness, but also disorientation continued to overwhelm me. Dr. Mona El-Farra writes from the Gaza Strip. 

Families celebrate academic excellence amidst the siege



The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Education announced the results of the annual tawjihi — the general secondary school examination — on 21 July. Graduating high school students take exams either in the science stream or humanities stream, with those getting the highest grades best able to compete for university places. Rami Almeghari reports for The Electronic Intifada. 

Six months later, no reconstruction in Gaza



Mahmoud Abu al-Anzain and his wife, Umm Naim, and their three children used to live in a two-room, cement-roofed house. It wasn’t a palace, but it was a home. The house was completely destroyed by Israeli army fire during last January’s assault on the Gaza Strip. Six months later, the family is among those still living in tents. Rami Almeghari reports for The Electronic Intifada. 

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