Resilience and Release in Gaza: Outdoor Gym Offers Hope Amidst Ruins

In Gaza, Adli al-Assar's gym was destroyed by Israeli air strikes. Determined, he rebuilt it outdoors with salvaged equipment. Now, it's a refuge for displaced men and boys, providing an outlet for their anger and sorrow amidst war-torn conditions.

In the war-torn city of Khan Younis, Israeli air strikes obliterated the building housing Adli al-Assar's gym in February. Rather than give up, al-Assar saw an opportunity to rebuild amidst the rubble.

"I went to the area and dug with my own hands, with the help of my children and friends, until we retrieved some of the equipment," al-Assar recounted. This determination led to the reopening of the gym, now outdoors, packed with salvaged weightlifting machines and enclosed by a corrugated fence. Dozens of Gazans now find solace lifting weights under the open sky. For many displaced men and boys, the gym is an essential outlet for releasing pent-up negative energy and psychological strain.

"They come here to mitigate their stress from living in tents and under harsh conditions," al-Assar explained. Nearly a year into the conflict, which began with Hamas' attack on Israel and escalated into an Israeli assault, public amenities are scarce. With schools closed and public buildings in ruins, the outdoor gym has become a vital space for recreation and emotional release.

Tairq Bakroun, a regular at the gym, shared his loss: "I lost everything, including my family and home." He emphasized the gym's importance: "We come here to channel our anger into something constructive, instead of letting it destruct our homes and tents."

(With inputs from agencies.)