Gaza – “Children must be able to play, study and grow in a peaceful environment”, repeats Pope Francis. In the next few months a small contribution will be offered to children living in Gaza, in order to bring a little relief to their battered childhood and adolescence. In fact, the new El Zaitoun compound sports and recreation area is being completed, connected to the local Latin Catholic parish dedicated to the Holy Family: a complex with large areas, which will allow students to play and experience sports and moments of living together in a safe space.
The compound, as reported by Agenzia Fides (see Fides, 29/7/2014) had been devastated together with the adjacent school by the Israeli army bombings during the operation “Protection Margin”, code name of the military campaign, started on the July 8, 2014 by the armed forces of the Jewish State as a response to the launches of missiles in Israeli territory on behalf of the militants of Hamas. The military campaign ended on 26 August 2014. The victims in Gaza were between 2,125 and 2,310, including more than 500 children.
The sports and recreation area was – the sources of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported – was the last of the entire compound to be repaired and renewed, thanks above all to the contribution of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher. The space was exploited in such a way as to obtain a multipurpose playground for basketball, volleyball and soccer. The place now also has concrete steps where spectators can sit.
Source: Agenzia Fides,
