Summer holidays on Gaza's beaches

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES

Palestinians in Gaza take every possible opportunity to enjoy the simple things in life that are available to them in their blockaded homeland. Every summer, thousands flock to Gaza’s beaches to take some comfort and joy from the beautiful surroundings, although clean and safe stretches of coast are becoming harder to find and what little there is, is often over crowded.

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There are more than 1.6 million Palestinians living in Gaza who have been held unjustly under an illegal siege for 5 years now. The siege has crippled the economy and caused poverty levels to sky rocket, leaving many unable to enjoy the basic quality of life enshrined in international law.

The seaside is one area of respite for many, but even this has been limited by a number of factors, including sewage contamination; resorts being only open to the rich and limitations placed on the movement of Palestinians within the area itself. Moreover, the threat of attacks by Israeli naval forces and air raids, leave many unable to enjoy whatever freedoms they have.

MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad