After the horrors of war in Gaza, a fun tent complex for children dubbed Jump City is an attempt to put smiles back on children’s faces.
Video filmed in the tent on Yassin Street, north of Gaza City on Monday, showed children jumping on trampolines, playing virtual reality games and enjoying face painting.
Jump City owner Mehmood Khalil Shaheen said that after years of war, his own children also needed a safe place to play, while parks and recreation centers in the area have almost disappeared.
He said that despite lack of resources, inflation and non-availability of goods, this project was successful. The fact is that I started this project with almost nothing.
He revealed that people from Khan Younis, Deir Al Balah, Al-Maghazi, Al-Nusirat and other areas also bring their children here. Entrance fees are nominal, starting at 5 shekels (about US$1.64), while families who cannot afford to pay receive free admission for their children.
Malak Shaheen, who works at the face painting corner, said that this activity stimulates children’s imagination and creativity. He further said that when I see happiness on children’s faces, I forget my pain and suffering for some time.
Ahmad Ghaban, a citizen who came here, said that we have no place to take the children. Only the sea is a place of recreation, but there is also the fear of attacks. Even going out on the streets is a fear of Israeli attacks, so we brought our child here. This place is also close to home and feels great and safe for children.
It should be noted that Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a deal last October, which included a ceasefire, exchange of hostages and prisoners and delivery of aid to Gaza. However, post-war negotiations on the governance and reconstruction of Gaza still appear to be deadlocked.
Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that a historic deal had been reached through the Peace Board he created, which includes a plan to completely disarm Hamas and withdraw Israeli forces.
In this regard, Hamas says that the weapons will be handed over only if Israel stops all military operations, withdraws from Gaza completely and paves the way for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state by recognizing the right of Palestinians to self-determination.
Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official said that until Hamas is truly disarmed, the Israeli army will not withdraw from the current yellow line. While the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that Israel faces serious security concerns.