In the heart of Gaza's war-torn streets, Sami Ibrahim Mahmoud has turned lifting weights into an act of hope. Since 1989, when he first discovered his love for sports, Sami believed that a strong body was not just a physique, but a shield for the mind.
Faced with food shortages and rampant insecurity, many would see giving up as the only option. But Sami and a small circle of Gazan bodybuilders have defied these odds. With limited access to proper gym equipment and official facilities shuttered by conflict, they've improvised, carving out workout spaces in underground tunnels, hoisting makeshift dumbbells crafted from cement blocks and metal scraps.
Each rep carried unseen risks: the threat of sudden clashes and the echo of distant explosions. Yet Sami pressed on, finding purpose in every drop of sweat. He explains that lifting is not just about building muscle, but about building hope, for himself and for his friends who watch him go on.
These bodybuilders have become symbols of resilience. They share training videos from their makeshift gyms, posting tips on nutrition and breathing techniques, sparking small online communities hungry for inspiration.
Across Gaza, sports and fitness have quietly become lifelines. For Sami's peers, each bench press or squat is a reminder that strength can flourish even in the darkest moments. They see their workouts as acts of resistance, physical gestures that echo their wider hope for peace and stability.
Looking ahead, Sami dreams of reopening a proper gym in Gaza, where the next generation of athletes can train without fear. Until then, he'll keep lifting hope, one rep at a time, believing that every flex of the muscle carries a collective promise that even when the world crumbles, the human spirit can still stand tall.
Reference(s):
Lifting hope with strength, Gazan bodybuilder perseveres in war
cgtn.com
