Burly men in Gaza pull trucks and flip tires in competition of strength

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — On a remarkable Friday, Gaza witnessed an unprecedented strength competition, drawing cheers from crowds and showcasing the indomitable spirit of its youth. Children and women, perched on debris from war-torn structures, watched as competitors in the Palestine Strongman Championship demonstrated their prowess by flipping massive tires nearly as tall as themselves and lifting loaded barbells.

The air echoed with shouts of exhilaration and music as men struggled to pull trucks with ropes, their faces grimacing and bodies sweating. One participant, Riyad Fattouh, described the experience as "a great, indescribable feeling," emphasizing the joy of returning to this atmosphere after three years of destruction, strikes, hunger, and loss.

Waleed Owda, the event's organizer, revealed that the championship, initially planned for 2021, had been postponed and delayed again in 2023 due to the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which led to Israeli retaliation. Consequently, all sports activities were halted, and sport clubs and venues were destroyed in Gaza. Despite the challenging circumstances, the youth of Gaza proved to the world that their territory is home to true champions, according to Owda.