Saturday, 14 September 2024 04:40

Here’s the latest as Israel-Hamas war enters Day 344

Rate this item
(0 votes)

In gym salvaged from rubble, Gazans release anger on weight machines

Israeli air strikes destroyed the building housing Adli al-Assar's gym in Khan Younis in February. So he decided he doesn't need a building.

"I went to the area and dug with my own hands, along with the help of my children and friends, until we were able to retrieve some of the equipment," he explained.

Now, his reopened gym is crammed with salvaged weightlifting machines on an empty patch of ground surrounded by a corrugated fence, where dozens of Gazans were pumping iron under the open sky. For displaced men and boys with no other outlet for their anger and sorrow, it's more than just sport, he says.

"They come here to release their negative energy, to relieve the psychological strain they experience living in displacement, in tents, and under harsh conditions," al-Assar said.

Nearly a year into a war which began with Hamas' deadly attack on Israel and has led to an Israeli assault that has driven nearly all Gazans from their homes, there are few facilities for recreation. All schools are closed; public buildings are bombed out or shut.

At the outdoor gym, weightlifter Tairq Bakroun hoisted barbells in bicep curls, worked on his pecs at a pulley machine, then stepped behind the bench press to spot for another lifter.

"I lost everything, we lost our families, our homes," he said.

"We come here to the gym just to release the anger within us. Instead of taking it out in the house, and breaking the house and the tents, we come here and release our anger on the machines."

 

Reuters

March 10, 2025

30% of Nigeria’s small and medium businesses shut down due to unfavorable economic conditions, NESG…

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has revealed that 30% of Nigeria’s 24 million registered…
March 07, 2025

Natasha suspended from Senate amid sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Akpabio

The Nigerian Senate has suspended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, for six months without pay…
March 09, 2025

‘One of the most powerful antidotes to loneliness,’ from U.S. Surgeon General

Every year in January, I tell myself I’ll spend less on dinners out, read more,…
March 01, 2025

Man offers to split $525,000 jackpot with thieves who stole his credit card to buy…

A Frenchman appealed to the homeless thieves who stole his credit card to buy a…
March 09, 2025

CJN reassigns Nnamdi Kanu’s case following court outburst

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has thanked the Chief Justice…
March 10, 2025

What to know after Day 1110 of Russia-Ukraine war

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE Russian forces take three new settlements in drive to oust Ukrainian forces in…
February 24, 2025

How AI is affecting the way kids learn to read and write

Kayla Jimenez For Lisa Parry, a 12th grade teacher in South Dakota, the students' essays…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.