Summary The visit was first of its kind, aimed to help children visit the holy site of Jerusalem. Photo: CNN
(Web Desk) - A group of one hundred children from Gaza visited Jerusalem for the first time in their lives during a trip organised by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Hardly able to believe they were inside Jerusalem, at the holy site of Al-Aqsa mosque, 13-year-old Hind Slameh Abu Hilu told CNN that he couldn’t stop smiling after offering the afternoon prayers there.
“We prayed in Al-Aqsa, which we used to feel was impossible. We felt so happy”, he said.
A number of the Palestinian children who were a part of the group shared that it was not only their first time in Jerusalem but their first time outside of Gaza, and they could barely contain their excitement.
The organisers said that it was a first of its kind visit arranged by UNRWA, which provides help to Palestinian refugees, and the trip was specifically designed to help children visit the holy sites of Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, reported CNN.
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A Palestinian boy from Gaza prays outside the Dome of the Rock mosque in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem s old city. Photo: Getty
Ragh Dahamdouna, one of the teachers accompanying the students said, "When we were on the road, a lot of them said to me, I don t feel that this is true. Finally, it is going to be true”.
"I think I am a little child here, and I let myself enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the friendship, enjoy everything”, she said while being unable to contain her own excitement.
Gaza s 2 million residents face increasingly dire living conditions, with only a few hours of electricity a day. Israel has imposed a blockade of Gaza since Hamas – a militant group which calls for the destruction of Israel, took over a decade ago.
Hamas is classified as a terrorist organisation by the US, Israel, and the European Union, and so, Israel maintains tight control over entry permits from Gaza. Generally only Palestinians applying on medical and humanitarian grounds are allowed to pass through.
The director of UNRWA operations in the West Bank, Scott Anderson said, "Most of these children have never met any of their extended family here, so to have that opportunity is great, and frankly, the program is fantastic. They re going to see parts of the West Bank that many people never get to see."
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A Palestinian boy from Gaza takes a photo inside the Dome of the Rock mosque. Photo: Getty
Entering Israel through the Erez border, eating lunch in the Old City of Jerusalem that they were ready to explore, they made their way through the winding alleys of the city to the Lion s Gate entrance in the Muslim Quarter. As the group passed through the stone archway, they arrived at one of the holiest sites in the world - Al-Aqsa mosque, which is the third holiest site in Islam, and Temple Mount, that to Jews is the world’s holiest place.
For the children it was a dream come true.
"It s a very holy place for Muslims and for others in the world," beamed 13-year-old Ahmad Abu Almashayakeh, from the Magazi refugee camp in Gaza.
"It s a very fantastic feeling, and it s like a new thing you re doing in your life."
When it was time to leave Al-Aqsa and walk the short distance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, organisers struggled to round up the children. They were too excited to leave.
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Children from Gaza were excited to visit Jerusalem for the first time. Photo: CNN
"I hope this is not going to be the last time," said Abu Hilu after leaving the holy site. "It is the first time, and I hope we will repeat this trip many times later on."
