Joy at Gaza's beach
Photo: AFP
6 Palestinians drown at Gaza beach
Following years of Intifada, hundreds of Gaza residents return to the beach; happiness turns into tragedy when 6 people drown, including 2 children
Hundreds of Gaza Strip residents flocked to the beach Monday for the first time since being forbidden to visit the area during the years of the Intifada.
However, their happiness turned into tragedy after six Palestinians, including two children, drowned.
A day at the beach in Gaza (Photo: Reuters)
In addition, for the first time in years, residents of the Muasi suburb of Khan Younis were free to visit the Gaza city.
"Several Muasi residents feel as if they have arrived in Europe," one Khan Younis resident said.
Muasi resident Abu Khaled said he had not visited Khan Younis in five years for fear of not being able to return home, as the Tapuah checkpoint - separating the two towns – was often closed for several days at a time.
"Sometimes the checkpoint was closed for a week, sometimes for more than 20 days or longer and I couldn’t take the chance that I'd be away from home for such a long time, away from my children during such a dangerous time," he said.
Khaled said he feels as if he has been released from prison. Until last month, Muasi was surrounded by Jewish settlements, including Neve Dekalim, Shirat Hayam, Gan Or and the Tapuach checkpoint.
"It was a prison from all sides," he said. "Now we are free."
'Situation unclear, and a little concerning'
While some chose to visit the city, hundreds of Gaza Strip residents took advantage of the summer weather to visit the beach, after being forbidden to visit the area during the years of the Intifada.
Hundreds of people bathed in the sea, while children splashed around and played.
One man, named Musav, who belongs to the security forces, took the day off show his children the seashore.
"Seeing the settlements destroyed, and especially the roads that were reopened, makes me very happy," he said, adding that seeing his children playing on the beach was very emotional for him.
"Just by seeing them I can say that the pullout was worthwhile. Besides this, the whole situation is unclear and truthfully, a little concerning," he said.
