Ever since they were young, Fares and Fahed have been using Parkour as a way to cope with their lives in Gaza. As teenagers, the practice has evolved into a group hobby where 20 other young men spend their days running through bombed out structures.
Over the past few years the group had trained in a clubhouse but were eventually forced to leave their chosen hangout during the 51 days of conflict with Israel. Left without their clubhouse, the group has been practicing outdoors wherever they can find a unique set of obstacles. While this presents a new terrain for the team, it also presents difficulties; The team only practices in the early morning and evening due to the intense heat in Gaza.
The group views Parkour as a break from their responsibilities. Fares' father passed away when he was just two years old, he now lives with his siblings and mother and struggle on monthly benefits from the government and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
"Gaza is an end. We live here because there is no other choice. This is the life we have, and we just make it work." - Fares
Please support UNICEF's work for the children, youth, and women of Gaza here.
Fares and Fahed have created a social media following among Parkour enthusiasts
Performing backflips near the beach in the city of Beit Lahia, in the Gaza Strip
Fahed navigating from through rubble of a destroyed building in the Shishya neighbourhood of Gaza
Jumping off benches in the city of Beit Lahia, in the Gaza Strip
Fares and Fahed practicing within a war-torn building in the Shishya neighborhood of Gaza
Fahed performing a backflip off an elevated roof, in the city of Beit Lahia, in the Gaza Strip
Fahed practicing with the Parkour team
Seven members of the 23 man team balancing on a rooftop in the city of Beit Lahia, in the Gaza Strip
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