Cinema Amid Conflict: Film Screenings Bring Moments of Peace to Gaza's Children

Gaza Strip – Every Thursday, 14-year-old Natalie al-Hatoum eagerly prepares, bids her mother goodbye, and heads to the cinema. But this is no ordinary movie theater – no big screen, no plush seats. Instead, there's a TV and plastic chairs. Even so, for Natalie and many other young children, this is “a cinematic experience” in the heart of war-torn Gaza.

The weekly screenings are organized by the humanitarian group UOSSM USA (Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations – USA) at its support center in Deir el-Balah, catering to girls aged 11 to 16. Natalie, originally from the Remal neighborhood in Gaza City, has been displaced with her family to a cramped rented room in central Gaza since their home was bombed in the early months of the conflict that began in October 2023. The war has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians and forced thousands more from their homes.

“I really love the film screening because it gives us a different atmosphere. It makes you feel like you're not living in a war, not going through these difficult days,” Natalie shared. She also recounted losing her grandparents and a cousin in the war, losses that have weighed heavily on her psyche. “I always remember the memories with my cousin and feel very sad.”

The screenings last one to two hours, accompanied by games and other activities. From 15–20 attendees at the first session, numbers have grown to 35–40, with many children bringing along friends.

Rama Abu Mohammed, 15, another attendee, said entering the center feels like stepping into “a different world.” “I feel detached from the pressures of war and everything we experience outside. This is a very safe place for us.” Rama added that the center gives them a chance to talk about difficult experiences without shame, while learning to manage emotions and care for themselves.

Jehan Abu Zanouna, the psychosocial coordinator supporting the activity, said the program is part of a broader effort to provide psychological support to Gaza's children. “Children in Gaza have gone through many difficult experiences during what should have been a peaceful childhood.” The program tries to “completely separate them from the tents, the heat, the insects, and the harsh reality they live in daily.” After the screening, coordinators discuss the story and characters and encourage the girls to express their feelings. The program also includes sessions on personal safety, boundaries, emotions, and preventing harassment – issues especially important in contexts where families live in tents with little privacy.

Zahra Abu Mohammed, a UOSSM USA staff member, explained the organization chose cinema because it's not just entertainment but also opens conversations about emotions without becoming a dry lesson. “We don't just talk about the story or the characters, but also about how the girls feel and how the characters feel.”

For Natalie, Rama, and dozens of other girls, these screenings offer more than fleeting joy. As Rama put it: “I feel like I recharge and then go back to face everything. I feel like I've unloaded some of what I've been carrying.” Natalie also shared that she leaves the screenings feeling lighter and more positive, always eager to tell her mother and friends about the film and what she learned. “I wish this activity happened every day. I wish it would never end, even when the project ends or when the new school year begins.”