Palestinian karate instructor Khaled Sheikh al-Eid has turned the roof of his home in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip into a platform to teach martial arts to his five children after he was forced to close a local karate training center as part of COVID-19 emergency procedures that have kept most residents at home.

Sheikh Eid, who heads the training at the Youth Center in Rafah city, explained to CGTN how he equipped his roof for sports after sterilization and set a schedule for instruction.

"Under exceptional life conditions due to COVID-19 and the closure of sports centers, including the youth center where I head the training, my children and I decided to create our own platform so that we can continue our karate lessons," he said. "We found that conducting exercises on the roof of the house broke the standard barrier of indoor karate training and we found it more dynamic and more active, whereas it increased the psychological awareness of my children."

On March 5, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a state of emergency in all Palestinian territories immediately after the first case of the disease was recorded in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Strict precautions against its spread were taken throughout the Palestinian territories, including the closure of schools, universities, mosques, churches, restaurants and gyms, as well as restrictions on travel.

In light of population congestion, Palestinians in Gaza spend most of their time in quarantine inside homes despite continuous daily power outages that can last for up to 8 hours. However, the isolation has prompted many of them to find innovative ways to kill the spare time. Furthermore, many have discovered new talents and sought to develop them.   

Nevfin Abu Salim from Deir al-Balah city in the central Gaza Strip found her way to creativity with cartoons with drawings that mimic the lives of citizens and urge them to take preventive measures and safety in light of the spread of COVID-19. She publishes her work on social media platforms, using a lot of colors and symbols that indicate the correct methods of prevention.

"I love painting so much," she told CGTN. "I didn't want to waste time sitting inside my house, I thought I'd do a job that benefits people. So, I started drawing paintings urging people to take measures to prevent corona infection." 

Nevfin said she decided to post the drawings on social media platforms. "People spend a lot of time on social media while they're sitting at home, so I used Instagram to easily reach many of them and communicate ideas with graphics that mimic the putting on of masks and gloves to urge them to take preventive measures and health safety."

Palestinian Health Minister Dr. Mai al-Kila announced at a press conference on Sunday evening that the territory's Health Epidemiology Committee submitted its recommendations to the Palestinian government to extend the state of emergency in Palestine, which was due to end on the evening of May 3 after more COVID-19 cases were recorded. That will mean continued restrictions on movement in the Palestinian territories and more time for people at home.

(Cover image: Khaled Sheikh al-Eid teaches his children karate on the roof of his home in Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip, May 3, 2020. /CGTN)