Immediately following the end of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip last year, Israeli Human Rights organisation B'Tselem gathered 15 young volunteers, mostly students starting their studies in communication or journalism, gave them video cameras, and asked them to document everyday life around them.
Each volunteer chose his or her personal viewpoint, and the videos provide a unique glimpse of life inside Gaza in the last year. The results were first published on Israel's online news portal, Ynet, and have been featured in the New York Times.
Tunnel Youth
The Rafah tunnels have become a central and almost exclusive commercial channel into the Gaza Strip following Israeli and Egyptian border limitations, transferring everything from food and medication to weapons. Teens working in tunnels tell of the conditions underground, and play around while listening to the hit single 'Tunnel Heroes' on their cell phones.
Filmed by: Rif'at Hamdiya, resident of Sajaiyah. Rafah tunnels, June 2009.
Soccer girls
The UN-organized Summer Games held last year allowed Gaza children to compete, dance and paint.
Filmed by: Fadi al-Ghorra, resident of Tel al-Hawa. Gaza City, August 2009.
Protest song
Gazan rapper Ayman, who lost his father in Operation Cast Lead, encourages crowds to use hip hop as an outlet for anger, frustration, and hope, and explains how Hip Hop's roots make it especially relevant for the youth of Gaza.
Filmed by: Muhammad al-Majdalawi, student at Al-Azhar University. Gaza City, October 2009.
Fun day
Amateur photographer and director Awatef al-Jadalli filmed injured girls in Gaza City during a school-organized field day.
Filmed by: Awatef al-Jadalli, resident of Al-Bureij refugee camp. Central Gaza City, April 2009.
War games
Kids at Al-Maghazi refugee camp defeat boredom with online games at their clubhouse.
Filmed by: Muhammad al-Alul, resident of Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Maghazi camp, October 2009.
More information about B'Tselem and their work can be found at http://www.btselem.org.
See related videos on B'Tselem's YouTube channel.
Related:
Jimmy Carter: Gaza must be rebuilt now
Mary Robinson: Accounting for Gaza
Eman Mohammed: Photos from Gaza