Photos of youths roaring over Gaza sand dunes in a return to prewar tradition
A Palestinian man rides his motorcycle on a sand dune in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
AL ZAHRA, Gaza (AP) — Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles ripped over rolling sand dunes overlooking the ruins and camps of displaced people in the Gaza Strip. Dozens of young men flew over sand dunes, spinning in circles and lifting the front wheels of their bikes into the air as their engines roared.
Before war broke out, young people once flocked every Friday to the dunes in the central Gaza town of Al Zahra. Now, in the midst of a shaky ceasefire, Palestinians in the area are trying to return to the traditions of normal life.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles on sand dunes in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles on sand dunes in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles on a sand dune in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles on a sand dune in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian Ahmed Abu Amra, 23, rides his motorcycle and shows off his skills on a sandy hill in the Al-Zahra area, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian Ahmed Abu Amra, 23, rides his motorcycle and shows off his skills on a sandy hill in the Al-Zahra area, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles and ATV on sand dunes in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles and ATV on sand dunes in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles on sand dunes in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles on sand dunes in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A Palestinian man rides his motorcycle on a sand dune in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A Palestinian man rides his motorcycle on a sand dune in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A young Palestinian man rides an ATV on a sand dune in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A young Palestinian man rides an ATV on a sand dune in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles on sand dunes in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians watch youths riding their motorcycles on sand dunes in the Al-Zahra area, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian Ahmed Abu Amra, 23, rides his motorcycle and shows off his skills on a sandy hill in the Al-Zahra area, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian Ahmed Abu Amra, 23, rides his motorcycle and shows off his skills on a sandy hill in the Al-Zahra area, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
