LOULOU
d’AKI

View on Gaza city during blackout hour. Gaza residents have endured around eight hours of daily blackouts in recent years because of fuel shortages.

Farah Al Atar in Bet Lahia was burnt by white phosphorous during Israeli Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, 2008-2009.

Relatives show off the scars of white phosphorous burns on Farah Al Atar’s body in Bet Lahia, northern Gaza strip.

A car lights up the street just after sunset during blackout hour in Dar Al Ballah. Since the tunnel traffic between Gaza and Egypt has become more restricted after Morsi’s fall, gas has to be bought from Israel and since it costs twice the price the local solution is to dilute it with cooking oil, with varying results.

Sun rises in Khan Yonis with a view over an UNRWA school in an area completely rebuilt after the disengagement of Israel from the Gaza strip.

Palestinian men hold banners during a rally in support of Hamas in Gaza city.

Palestinian men in a beach cafe prepare coffee on a gas stove during blackout hour in Gaza.

11-year old Houla Abdallah was hit by shrapnel in a thigh during Israeli Operation Cast Lead. Due to the injury, doctors had to cut a nerve in the foot. Houla has had 4 surgeries and goes to regular rehabilitation, she cant run and play as she used to do.

24-year old Mahmoud Zourba was hit by an Israeli tank during Operation Cast Lead while walking on a street with three friends who were all killed. Mahmoud lost an eye, a finger, his lower leg and buttock, suffered severe burns and is completely blind. He has been married twice but both marriages ended in divorce because of his severe physical condition. Mahmoud used to work in the tunnels, he and his brother were Qassam brigade fighters until the injury and both think that Hamas is to blame for what happened.

Morning view from Abu Khadra tower, Gaza city.

A Palestinian woman with an amputated leg during rehab in Gaza Artificial Limb and Polio Center. Between 20-25 percent of injuries which were not lethal to the victims of bombings, resulted in an amputation of the legs. This statistics makes Gaza strip a place with one of the highest percentage of disabled people in the world.

Palestinian girls wait for a bus beside a Japanese housing project in Khan Yonis, southern Gaza strip. The area was reconstructed after its comlplete destruction during the disengagement.

4-year old Shahed is an orphan. While pregnant, her mother was heavily influenced by white phosphorus chemicals used by Israel on Gaza during Operation Cast Lead. Shahed’s father died in the tunnels and after birth, due to visual and medical conditions of the newborn baby her mother abandoned her. Shahed suffers from a rare genetic disease which transforms her skin into material similar to candle wax. A disease for which doctors hold no cure.

A Palestinian woman is seen as she walks by a brand new house in Jabalia, reconstructed after its destruction during Operation pillar of defense in 2012. Jabalia is situated close to the Israeli border and a stronghold of Hamas, therefore a common target in times of conflict.

22-year old Mahmoud Alghonami is seen in a pool during swimming practice in Gaza. Mahmoud lost both his legs in an Israeli airstrike in 2008 and started practicising different sports after the accident

Gaza parkour team practise amongst ruins in Khan Yonis.

22-year old Mahmoud Alghonami is seen as he enters the dressing room after a swimming practice in Gaza. Mahmoud lost both his legs in an Israeli airstrike in 2008 and started doing different sports after the accident.

A Palestinian construction worker throws a bucket to his co-workers from his sitting place on a stone wall in Jabalia, an area close to the Israeli border and a stronghold of Hamas, therefore often targeted in times of conflict.

A couple of Palestinian men with briefcases are seen in conversation as a woman passes by an empty area, early morning next to office tower Abu Khadra in Gaza city.