'Jump City' helps children smile again after horrors of war

Gaza’s Jump City Brings Smiles Back

A children’s entertainment tent complex in Gaza – ‘Jump City’ – is helping young people have fun and smile again after the horrors of war.

Footage filmed at the tent on Yassin Street north of Gaza City on Monday, shows children enjoying trampolining, virtual reality games and face painting.

Owner Mahmoud Khalil Shaheen said his own children needed an outlet after years of war – and had seen the complete lack of parks and entertainment venues.

“Despite the lack of resources, high prices, and unavailability of goods, things worked out. Literally, I created this project from nothing,” he added.

Affordable Fun For Gaza’s Children

He revealed that visitors come from as far as Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, Al-Maghazi, Al-Nuseirat, and others. Prices are symbolic and start from 5 shekels (1.64 US dollars) – but children are allowed to enter free of charge when their families are unable to pay.

In the face-painting corner, Malak Shaheen said it helped stimulate children’s imagination – and added that seeing their smiles made her forget the suffering a little.

Visitor Ahmed Ghabn added: “There is nowhere to take our children. The only outlet is the sea, and we are afraid to go there because of attacks, and we are also afraid to walk in the street because of attacks, so we brought our child to this place, and it is close to home. The place is very wonderful and suitable for children to enjoy themselves.”

Gaza War Talks Remain Stalled

Israel and Hamas agreed the first phase of a deal last October, covering the ceasefire, exchange of hostages and prisoners, and the entry of aid into Gaza. Talks on post-war governance and rebuilding appear to have stalled.

Last week, Donald Trump announced what he called a ‘historic agreement’ by his Board of Peace for the ‘complete’ disarmament of Hamas, with the plan including an Israel withdrawal.

Hamas And Israel Clash Over Disarmament

Hamas said the handover of weapons depends on Israel ending ‘all forms of aggression’, withdrawing from Gaza and a right to “self-determination, establishing an independent Palestinian state”. A senior Israeli official said that there would be “no IDF withdrawal from the current Yellow Line without the genuine disarmament of Hamas”, while the Israeli PM’s office said the country had ‘serious security concerns’.

Article by Viory.