Art offers young Gaza survivors a rare refuge amid ongoing war devastation

What happened

Al Jazeera Gaza reports on young survivors of the ongoing war in Gaza who use art as a refuge to cope with trauma and loss. One example is 16-year-old Maryam from Deir el-Balah, who lost her home and family members in Israeli strikes and finds a safe space at a beachside café art center to express her feelings and regain hope amid devastation.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The art space was founded by Abdullah al-Ghafri, who explains that with many educational and cultural centers bombed or destroyed, there is a lack of venues for young people to nurture their talents and release negative emotions. He stresses the goal is to lift children out of the atmosphere of destruction and provide a place for positive energy and hope.

Psychologist Asil Abu Shawish underlines the importance of such safe spaces for children and adolescents living through war. She says art allows them to release pressure and emotions they often cannot verbalize, offering a sense of control and stability in an unpredictable environment. This support is vital as the conflict continues despite an official ceasefire since October 2023.

Known from the source

• 16-year-old Maryam from Deir el-Balah lost her home in January 2024 and lives with her grandmother.
• Maryam attends an art space at a beach café established in April to offer youth coping opportunities.
• The art space founder is Abdullah al-Ghafri, age 35.
• Art is described by psychologist Asil Abu Shawish as a tool for emotional release and stability for children during war.
• An official ceasefire has been in place since October 2023 despite ongoing hostilities.

What remains unclear

While the report states over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023 in Israeli strikes, this figure is presented without independent verification and should be treated cautiously. The ongoing nature of the conflict, displacement, and destruction deepen the layers of trauma children face, amplifying the need for psychosocial interventions like the described art activities.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of the Palestinian casualty figure and the source’s terminology for the war as 'genocidal'. Current operation status and funding details of the art space in Deir el-Balah. Independent confirmation or expert review of the psychological impacts as presented.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Gaza. Open the source.