In Photos: Gaza Before the Genocide Escalated

Before the genocide escalated against Palestinians in Gaza, the city still carried daily life, under siege and constant bombardment.

Around 6,000 Palestinian children, organized by UNRWA's summer camp program, launched kites into the sky on a northern Gaza beach in an attempt to shatter the Guinness World Record for most kites flown simultaneously. The event provided a fleeting sense of normalcy and play for young people in one of the world's most besieged cities.© Eman Mohammed

On a weekend afternoon in Gaza City, a Palestinian woman sits by the Mediterranean shore. A vendor pushes a cart of roasted sweet potatoes past her, while children play near by.© Eman Mohammed

Palestinian children play in a jacuzzi bathtub placed among the rubble of their destroyed home in Ezbet Abed Rabo, north of Gaza City.© Eman Mohammed

Palestinian runners pass the destroyed Palestinian Legislative Council building while competing in a half marathon through Gaza City.© Eman Mohammed

Families picnic under umbrellas on Gaza’s shore, community clings to the sea as one of the few open spaces left under the ongoing Israeli siege on the city and its 2.4 million Palestinian residents.© Eman Mohammed

A Palestinian woman shops for groceries at the local market in Sheikh Redwan, Gaza City. © Eman Mohammed

A Palestinian man in a mask is lowered into a narrow tunnel, hauling food to be distributed and sold in the localmarket. Under Israel’s ongoing siege of Gaza, tunnels became essential arteries for goods when borders closed.© Eman Mohammed

A Palestinian worker praying Al-Thuhur prayer during his break. © Eman Mohammed

Rafah border crossing closed behind barbed wire, until further notice. © Eman Mohammed

A Palestinian little girl munches sunflower seeds in front of her school before the afternoon shift begins. © Eman Mohammed

A Palestinian teacher leads girls in a ring while singing in the schoolyard.© Eman Mohammed

Palestinian men haul fishing nets through shallow coastal waters, confined to a narrow fishing zone enforced by Israel’s naval blockade. With access to deeper waters severely restricted, they struggle to catch enough fish to feed their families under the suffocating siege. ©Eman Mohammed

Palestinian young girls wear their mothers’ hijabs while playing dress-up outside their homes in Jabalia refugee camp.

A Palestinian man harvesting wheat with his grandchild in souther Gaza Strip. ©Eman Mohammed

A silhouettes of fishermen boats against sunset light at Gaza port.

All images © Eman Mohammed. Please do not reuse without permission.