Al-Mawasi, Gaza Strip – As the sun beats down relentlessly, Tareq Abu Youssef, a 23-year-old Palestinian, focuses on his workout amidst poorly constructed bodybuilding equipment. His training sessions have dramatically shifted from the intense routines he once enjoyed; now they are a necessity for survival in a territory grappling with profound food shortages.
Abu Youssef, who has experienced a significant weight loss of 14 kilograms since the beginning of intensified restrictions on food supplies, highlights the struggle faced by many in Gaza. “In a land where nourishment is increasingly rare, maintaining my physical fitness becomes an act of resistance against overwhelming odds,” he states. The ongoing crisis has drawn international attention, with agencies describing the situation as a deliberate manifestation of weaponized hunger.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the majority of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents face catastrophic food insecurity, particularly in the northern regions experiencing near-famine conditions. The World Food Programme has alerted that, without immediate assistance, hunger will escalate further, with vast quantities of humanitarian aid trapped at border crossings.
For Abu Youssef and other athletes in the region, maintaining fitness is about more than muscle—it’s a pursuit of normalcy in a landscape ravaged by conflict. The tent gym where he trains is located within al-Mawasi, an area currently hosting roughly one million displaced Palestinians. Here, coach Adly al-Assar has marshaled resources to create a vital space for physical fitness using equipment salvaged from his former facility in Khan Younis, which was destroyed.
With only approximately 60 square meters of covered space in a temporary tent, al-Assar, a seasoned powerlifting champion, is determined to adapt workouts to the current constricted conditions, implementing shorter sessions and prolonged rest periods to accommodate the athletes’ declining strength and energy.
Despite the continual threat of violence and the pervasive scarcity of food—which has left many athletes faint and fatigued—there exists an indomitable spirit among them. Even in the bleakness of their circumstances, they persist in working towards their fitness goals, navigating their physical limitations in hopes of a brighter future.
“The tent gym represents a beacon of hope and resilience,” says Khaled Al-Bahabsa, who returned to training following severe injuries. “Being able to practice bodybuilding reminds me of life and the joy that sports bring amidst the darkness.”
As these athletes strive to overcome personal and communal challenges, they embody a determination to live fully and strive for international representation. Their fight extends beyond personal ambitions, symbolizing the desire for peace, prosperity, and the right to participate in global sports—a mission that resonates deeply, despite the many hardships they face.
Through their workouts, they are not merely combating physical deterioration; they are asserting their right to live with dignity and pursue their passions. In this way, the makeshift gym is not just a space for fitness—it serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the Gazan people, who continue to aspire for normalcy and a better future, grounded in hope and collective struggle.
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