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Surfers in war-torn Gaza find rare moments of joy taking to the waves

DEIR AL-BALAH, The Gaza Strip (AP) – Despite the dire situation in Gaza, a few surfers find joy riding the waves. Tahseen Abu Assi, a surfer in Gaza City, says only a few people still surf due to a shortage of boards and repair materials. He values surfing so much that he carried his board through every displacement he went through during the two-year war. The Israeli military has heavily restricted fishing and sea access, making surfing risky. Intense fighting eased after a ceasefire on Oct. 10 of last year, but deadly strikes continue, and Palestinians struggle with basic needs.

(Context: Surfing scene in Gaza despite conflict. Fact Check: Israeli military restrictions on fishing and sea access. Continued struggle for basic needs among Palestinians)