Often injured in daredevil jumps over obstacles in cemeteries and abandoned buildings, the Gaza Strip's parkour enthusiasts can now practice their niche sport on safer ground.
The Palestinian territory's first parkour gym, equipped with wooden boxes over which youngsters can soar in high-flying twists and flips and padded mattresses to land on, has opened its doors.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Developed in France, parkour took root in Gaza around 15 years ago. It provides its own sense of freedom of movement in an area controlled by the Hamas terrorist group and blockaded by Israel and Egypt out of security concerns.
"I have played parkour for 13 years now. During those 13 years, I have suffered several injuries, the worst was to my wrist, and it stopped me playing the game for a year," said Jehad Abu Sultan, 32, one of two coaches at the new Wallrunners academy.
Some 70 athletes, both male and female and aged between six and 26, are enrolled in the current three-month free course. Dozens are on waiting lists.
Abu Sultan, a co-founder of Gaza's first parkour group, began practicing his acrobatics at a cemetery in the territory's Khan Younis refugee camp. He said injuries forced some of his colleagues to quit.
"Injuries used to occur a lot because there were no safety and security measures. Now with the presence of this hall and this first academy we can avoid injuries. A player will perform the moves easily," he said.
Mohammad Al-Masri, 17, said police used to give chase when he and others played parkour at schools.
"I used to play out of fear," he said, but now, "I am here, playing safe."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
