‘We skate on the rooftops of damaged buildings’: a day in the life of a skateboarder in Gaza

What Happened

Rajab al-Reefi, a leader of a Gaza-based skate club, reports that the ongoing conflict has severely restricted access to recreational equipment, including skateboards, which are currently classified as restricted items by Israeli authorities. Al-Reefi stated that the club's original skatepark was demolished to accommodate tents for displaced persons, forcing the group to practice in locations such as the YMCA courtyard, the seaport, and on the rooftops of damaged buildings. He further claimed that he and other club members have recovered some equipment from the rubble of destroyed homes, despite the risk of encountering unexploded ordnance.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The account highlights the degradation of civilian infrastructure and the loss of recreational spaces in Gaza, illustrating the impact of the conflict on the daily lives and mental well-being of children living in the territory.

Watch For

Monitor reports from humanitarian organizations regarding the status of civilian infrastructure and the continued restriction of non-essential goods entering the Gaza Strip.