TEMPO.CO, Jerusalem - Happiness radiates from the faces of children from Gaza as they visit the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem. Some took some self-photography and prayed in the third holiest location for the Muslims.
"When we arrived at Al Aqsa, we were very happy," said 13-year-old Hind Slameh Abu Hilu, who could not help but smile after performing the Asr prayers. "We can pray in Al Aqsa that was previously impossible.”
For most of these children, this moment is not just their first time to Jerusalem, but also for the first time they came out of Gaza.
There are about 100 children aged 8-14 years in groups initiated by UN agencies for Palestinian refugees in Gaza and West Bank or UNRWA. This is the first time UNRWA has initiated a journey for Gazan children to travel Jerusalem.
"This opportunity is very happy and fantastic, they will see the West Bank territory that has never been seen by most Gazans," said Scott Anderson, Director of UNRWA in the West Bank.
The teacher who accompanied the children's journey, Ragh Dahamdouna, said many of them were so enthusiastic. Because they never thought the desire to see Al-Aqsa first hand and the city of Jerusalem could be accomplished.
"On the way they said 'I did not think this happened'," said Dahamdouna.
The Gazan children's group entered Israel through the Erez border area on Sunday afternoon. They then arrived in Jerusalem through the Lion's door in the section for the Muslims. About 2 million Gazans live in very inhumane conditions due to the Israeli blockade for over a decade.
CNN | THE WASHINGTON POST | SITA PLANASARI AQUADINI
