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Back on the Dunes: Youths Revive Prewar Motorcycle Tradition in Al Zahra, Gaza

04:14 AM, 12/06/2025
Back on the Dunes: Youths Revive Prewar Motorcycle Tradition in Al Zahra, Gaza

Motorcycles and ATVs have returned to the sand dunes above Al Zahra, Gaza, where dozens of young men performed wheelies and other stunts amid clouds of sand. These Friday gatherings were a prewar ritual that residents are now attempting to revive during a fragile ceasefire. The images, captured by AP photographers, juxtapose moments of normalcy with the nearby ruins and makeshift camps of displaced people.

Riders Return to Al Zahra's Sand Dunes

Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles sliced across rolling sand dunes overlooking ruined neighborhoods and makeshift camps in the Gaza Strip, engines roaring as riders launched into the air and kicked up clouds of sand. Dozens of young men sped over the dunes, performing tight circles, wheelies and other stunts that once drew crowds every Friday.

Before the war, weekend gatherings on the dunes of Al Zahra in central Gaza were a familiar local ritual. Now, amid a fragile ceasefire, residents here are cautiously trying to revive that tradition as a small step toward reclaiming everyday life.

Photo Note: These images were selected and curated by AP photo editors.

The scenes juxtapose a striving for normalcy with the stark backdrop of displacement and destruction. Makeshift camps and ruined buildings sit below the dunes, a reminder of the conflict that forced many from their homes. For participants and onlookers, the return of the rides offers both a momentary escape and a communal signal of resilience.

Context: The gatherings are taking place while the region remains under an uneasy ceasefire, and safety conditions may vary. The events described here were documented by AP photographers and compiled into a photo gallery.

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