Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Mohammed Asad
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Rare fish breeds appear in Gaza after recent drop in temperature
The latest drop in temperature prevented Gaza fishermen from sailing for several days, but the intense tides brought in a large variety of fish and rare breeds. Fishermen who sailed from the Gaza port after the choppy weather caught Ocean Sunfish. It is the largest fish caught on the Gaza…
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Using hyperrealism to bring Gaza back to life
Adam Shehata spends hundreds of hours working with pencils to make almost lifelike portraits in black and white because not only does he like the colours, it relaxes him. The 28-year-old, who lives in the besieged Gaza Strip, began drawing when he was very young. A son of a painter,…
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Israel allows rescue vehicles to enter Gaza after 20 year ban
For the first time in 20 years Israel has allowed rescue vehicles to enter the besieged Gaza Strip. Twenty-four civil defence and firefighting vehicles arrived in Gaza through the Karm Abu Salem commercial crossing after being donated by Qatar. They had travelled from Jordan through the Allenby Bridge, Israel’s Kan…
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Hamas sets up elections committee in Gaza
Hamas leader Osama Al-Muzaini revealed on Saturday afternoon that his movement has finished forming the preparatory committee for the elections. Al-Muzaini said, during a central celebration held by the movement to mark 32 years since it was launched in the centre of Gaza City, that Hamas affirms the necessity of…
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Gazans stage silent protest in support of prisoners
Palestinians held a silent protest in the besieged Gaza Strip today to highlight the international community’s inaction in the face of the Israeli atrocities committed against prisoners. Mahjat AlQuds Foundation for martyrs, prisoners and the wounded organised the “Our silence is pain, your silence is failure” protest after Palestinian prisoners…
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Artist keeps things balanced in Gaza
Two years ago, 24-year-old Muhammad Al-Shanbari began balancing objects on top of each other to make amazing models that appeared to deny gravity. Muhammad, who lives in Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, sometimes stacks gas canisters on top of each other onto a water key at an angle which leaves all…
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Gazans demand UN supports families still homeless after 2014 Israel war
Palestinians whose homes were damaged by Israel’s 2014 attack on the Gaza Strip held a protest outside the UN headquarters in the enclave to demand the international body fulfil its financial pledges and support them. They held banners asking “where is the donor money going?” and calling on the UN…
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Gaza’s visually impaired athletes join goalball tournament
Eight teams made up of 40 players took part in Gaza’s Goalball Championship, a game designed specifically for athletes who are visually impaired. Organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the tournament is the first of its kind in the Gaza Strip and aims to give all Palestinians the…
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Gaza stands in solidarity with Palestinian journalist Muath Amarneh
The Forum of Palestinian Journalists strongly condemned the deliberate targeting of photojournalist Muath Amarneh during his coverage of the protests in occupied Hebron on Friday. Palestinian freelance photojournalist Muath Amarneh has been in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem since being hit in the eye on Friday while covering a protest in…
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Gaza’s centre of production
The Gaza Industrial Zone is the first of its kind in Palestine. It was established in 1997, with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and under the supervision of the Palestinian Industrial Estate and Free Zone Authority (PIEFZA). Bajes Aldalou, direct of the investors’ services department,…
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This Gaza garage brings classic cars back to life
Munir Al-Shendi has worked as a mechanic for 25 years in a body repair shop in Gaza City. Al-Shendi recently began working on a 1946 classic which he is working on returning to its former glory. In the besieged enclave this is a more difficult project than expected. The car…
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Hamas says its ready for elections
Hamas today informed Palestinian factions and the head of the Central Election Committee, Hanna Nasser, that it is ready for the elections and agrees to hold them and facilitate the requirements for their success. “Hamas is ready for a partnership and alliance with all those who agree and meet with…
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Gazans piecing together remains of ancient church
Palestinians in Gaza are working to restore mosaics and the ruins of an old church which dates back to 444 AD. Built by the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II, the church has witnessed 24 Byzantine emperors and 14 Muslim caliphs, and is still witness to many of the people and periods…
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Making Gaza’s gold market shine
Anyone buying precious metals in Gaza will be getting some stamped by the Precious Metals Department which examines delivers which arrive from abroad and stamp them ready for them to go on sale in local markets. Its Director Jamal Matar confirmed that the department takes samples of all metals imported…
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Gaza’s currency exhibition gets a stamp of approval
The second exhibition of postage stamps and foreign currency was held in Gaza this weekend. Opened by Mayor Dr Yahya Al-Sarraj, the event was organised by the General Department for Cultural Affairs and Centres in cooperation with collectors at Rashad Al-Shawwa Cultural Centre. School students and collectors were among those…
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Palestinian journalist: Israel snipers competed to shoot me
Israeli snipers are using Palestinian protesters and media taking part in and covering the Great March of Return demonstrations as “entertainment” as part of their “games”, recently injured photojournalist Abdul-Rahman Al-Kahlout told MEMO. Speaking after being hit twice – simultaneously – on Friday while covering the protests at the Gaza-Israel…
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Migratory birds fly into Palestine
Palestine is one of the main routes for birds migrating from Europe to Africa in September and October. Some of the birds that frequently pass through the Gaza Strip are various types of quail. With the economic situation in the besieged enclave being as it is, Palestinians prepare for such…
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Haniyeh: Palestinian refugee issue ‘confirms commitment to right of return’
The head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, has said that the issue of Palestinian refugees is ongoing, demonstrates the steadfastness of the people and confirms their commitment to resistance and their legitimate right of return. Haniyeh made his comments during a popular conference in Gaza under the banner…
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Floating new ideas for animal feed in Gaza
A Palestinian has become the first to succeed in growing ferns to feed his farm animals without paying the high prices for imported fodder. Forty-three-year-old Wael Musallem from Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip, has successfully produced Azolla ferns after many failed efforts by local farmers. Wael…
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Gaza: Shelling out for art in the Strip
Forty-two-year-old Palestinian Kamal Al-Madhoun has made a living walking around Gaza’s shores and collecting shells. For the past 20 years Kamal has collected seashells and categorised them according to shape and colour before using them to decorate pottery. The shells are used to express Palestinian heritage and culture on the…
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Israel’s siege killing demand for Qurbani meat in Gaza
The 12-year blockade has stifled demand and left Palestinians unable to afford the cost of animals in order to complete the Islamic ritual of slaughtering and distributing the meat. Livestock seller Sami Al-Batniji said the coming days will determine how successful this season is for farmers, but to date, only…
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Summer camp for disabled children in Gaza
Some 53 disabled children joined a summer camp sponsored by the Palestinian Children’s Relief Society in the Gaza Strip on Monday. The Al-Qudra Camp designated activities for children who had lost limbs as a result of Israel’s brutal wars against the Strip and those who were born with disabilities. Experienced…
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Gaza scrapes together new art exhibition
A new exhibition has given Palestinians in Gaza the chance to compare different forms of art. Launched by Studio Windows from Gaza for Contemporary Arts, the exhibition includes work from 64 artists including those who specialise in plaster moulds, sculptors and experimental photography. One section covers the pioneering arts, which…
