Young Children In Gaza Use Virtual Reality To Overcome Blockades And Explore Different Cities

JAKARTA - The owner of Gaza's first virtual reality game cafe is now offering a fantasy world of action, music and sports to young people who grew up under an Israeli blockade in the region.

"Often a lot of young people come here to play, they are looking for escape from the reality they are going through," said Firas Al-Khodary, owner of the VR Station in Gaza city.

With the lack of opportunities to travel for most people due to years of border closures imposed by Israel and Egypt, online is a way out for young people who are hungry for entertainment and disruption.

The virtual reality tool offers Gaza youth a new experience in Gaza. "I moved to cities, different places, mountains and oceans, cities we couldn't possibly visit," Youssef Al-Qudairi said, 22, about this virtual game.

According to Al-Khodary, the most popular virtual action and fighting games among young men, while young women tend to like sports, music, and travel.

"Because we are blocked and it is difficult to travel and move from one place to another, we come to VR and make up for all this and we live it in virtual reality," said 16-year-old Nisreen Shamalakh when she wore her headset.