World · Middle East · 1 day ago
Gaza’s junior surf lifesaving program returns after three years of war
Gaza Nippers, a junior surf lifesaving program for children, has returned to the beach near Al-Shati refugee camp after a three-year suspension.
The program was developed in Gaza in 2017, and its first summer season began in 2023.
It stopped in October that year after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel and Israel began its military offensive in Gaza.
Of the 45 children in the original group, 15 have been found alive and were invited back to the beach.
The others remain missing, unreachable or have died, including Ali, the 15-year-old son of program coordinator Hassan Al-Habeel.
He died in his father’s arms before Al-Habeel could reach the nearest hospital for help.
The children who returned spent time swimming, playing and dancing, despite damaged equipment and difficult conditions.
The program’s return offers children a chance to play, but the fate of many from the original group remains unknown.
Gaza’s junior surf lifesaving program returned to the beach last month after three years of war.
The program’s co-founder and Gaza-based coordinator invited 15 children from its original group of 45 to take part again.
The other children are missing, unreachable or have died in the conflict, according to the program’s coordinator.
Hassan Al-Habeel’s 15-year-old son Ali died during the war before he could reach a hospital.
The children spent the day catching waves, dancing and playing in the sand and sun near Al-Shati refugee camp.
- Who
- Gaza Nippers, its coordinators and children from the original program.
- What
- The junior surf lifesaving program returned to the beach after a three-year suspension.
- When
- Last month, according to the article published on 10 October 2026.
- Where
- Near Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza.
- Why
- The program resumed to give children an opportunity to return to the waves; the article does not state a more specific reason.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I wanted to prepare [Ali] to be a lifeguard, so when he gets older, he would teach children how to swim on the shores of Gaza
But unfortunately, the war took Ali from us as it took many children in Gaza.
And now I see children play without Ali, which is difficult for me, but what can we do? That’s the decree of God.
I can’t confirm anything without evidence because it’s not easy to declare something like that.
Gaza’s Nippers program was first devised.
The program ran its first summer season after delays caused by the pandemic.
The program was suspended indefinitely after Israel began its invasion of Gaza following the Hamas attack on southern Israel.
Gaza Nippers children were photographed on the beach in Gaza.
The program returned, and 15 children from the original group were invited back to the waves.
- Original group
- 45 children
- Contacted and invited back
- 15 children
- Ali
- Al-Habeel’s 15-year-old son, who died during the conflict
- Program location
- Near Al-Shati refugee camp, Gaza
- Return
- Last month after three years of war
Sources
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