Despite the fact that recreational opportunities in the blockaded Gaza Strip are limited, local daredevils practice an array of extreme sports, including outdoor urban gymnastics, BMX biking and parkour.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
The self-taught daredevils have never had formal training, sponsorship or professional equipment.
Above: Members of the Bar Palestine team practice their skills during a training session on the beach of Gaza City.
Above: Members of the Bar Palestine team practice their skills during a training session on the beach of Gaza City.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
The blockade was imposed by Israel and Egypt when the Hamas militant group came to power in 2007.
Above: Palestinian young man performs a stunt on his bicycle during a weekly gathering in the Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
Above: Palestinian young man performs a stunt on his bicycle during a weekly gathering in the Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
Movies, social media and YouTube videos are the main sources of information on sports in the territory.
Above: Palestinian roller skater jumps over ten young boys lying on the ground during a weekly practice session, in the Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
Above: Palestinian roller skater jumps over ten young boys lying on the ground during a weekly practice session, in the Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
Young people stage spectacular sport performances which involve BMX bikes, roller-blades, parkour stunts, martial arts and rock-climbing.
Above: Palestinian displays his parkour skills during a training session in a public garden in Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza Strip.
Above: Palestinian displays his parkour skills during a training session in a public garden in Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza Strip.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
"We have to do parkour to prove to the outside world that we have energy and can perform the most difficult things," Fahed Daoud, a local adrenaline addict, was quoted as saying by AP.
Above: Palestinian rider shows his skills on a sand dune during a weekly gathering in Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
Above: Palestinian rider shows his skills on a sand dune during a weekly gathering in Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
On sand dunes outside Gaza City near a former Israeli settlement, young Gazans race on motorbikes, BMX bikes and four-wheel ATVs.
Above: Young Palestinian bicycle riders and roller skaters pose for a photograph during a weekly practice session in the Zahra neighborhood, on the outskirts of Gaza City.
Above: Young Palestinian bicycle riders and roller skaters pose for a photograph during a weekly practice session in the Zahra neighborhood, on the outskirts of Gaza City.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
A group of young athletes formed Bar Palestine, a local street workout team.
Above: Palestinian Parkour athlete jumps over a bicycle rider during a training session in a public garden in Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza Strip.
Above: Palestinian Parkour athlete jumps over a bicycle rider during a training session in a public garden in Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza Strip.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
Athletes say they would like to participate in an international competition and want extreme sports to be more popular in their society.
Above: Palestinians watch a parkour performer practicing his skills during a training session in a public garden in Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza Strip.
Above: Palestinians watch a parkour performer practicing his skills during a training session in a public garden in Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza Strip.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
Travel in and out of Gaza is heavily restricted by Israel.
Above: Palestinian roller skater jumps over young boys lying on the ground during a weekly practice session in the Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
Above: Palestinian roller skater jumps over young boys lying on the ground during a weekly practice session in the Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
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© AP Photo / Khalil Hamra
Egypt also rarely opens the border with Gaza. Over the past two years, Egyptian authorities have destroyed hundreds of tunnels that served as a lifeline for the blockaded territory.
Above: Palestinian motocross rider shows his skills on a sand dune during a weekly gathering in Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
Above: Palestinian motocross rider shows his skills on a sand dune during a weekly gathering in Zahra neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City.
