First luxurious resort opens in Gaza Strip

(3 Aug 2015) LEAD-IN:
A luxurious new resort has opened in the Gaza Strip.
As a novelty in the region, it is drawing a large number of visitors who are all looking to escape the grim reality of the Palestinian territories.

STORY-LINE:
This seaside resort could be anywhere in the world - but you probably wouldn't guess it's in Gaza.
There are more than 150 rooms, several swimming pools, green lawns dotted with palm trees, childrens' playgrounds and a private beach.
The Blue Beach Resort is the first luxurious seaside vacation spot in the Gaza Strip.
It occupies five acres on the Mediterranean coast and also has a restaurant and a cafe shop.
Children play in the pool and families relax on sun lounges nearby.
This is a far-cry from the hustle and bustle of the war-torn Gaza Strip.
Visitor Rawan Hassan is here with her family.
The women are sitting by the pool smoking shisha pipes, feeling immune from the eyes of Hamas' detectives who occasionally prevent serving shisha to women at public beach or cafes.
She says it is difficult to find a relaxing place in Gaza City, so they've come to the resort.
"It's difficult to go to public places because it's full of people. This place provides privacy and you know who is with you. It is really good to be in Gaza (in a place like the Blue Beach resort) for the first time," says Hassan.
Tables are neatly laid out on the beach as a local music band prepares an outdoor stage for a party.
The resort has opened this summer at odds - but also in defiance - of all surrounding challenges caused by an Israeli blockade and last year's war.
Israel still restricts the flow of materials to rebuild some 12,000 houses that were destroyed in 50 days of fighting last summer.
Because of these restrictions it's taken seven years to build this resort.
But now the holiday-makers are coming.
One is father of three, Said Al-Madhoun. He says he wants his children to escape the grim reality of Gaza for at least a day.
"We are coming to spend a day here at the Blue Beach to let the children change the mood of the tense daily life atmosphere. We don't have resorts. I think Blue Beach resort is the first of its kind in Gaza and has no competitor. We want to try and see how it is."
Rooms here will set you back 100-120 US dollars for standard accommodation and suites cost up to 160 US dollars.
The resort has a smart lobby area and a bar with blue lighting reflecting on the empty glasses.
However, there are no drinks yet on the bar and there will be no alcohol at all, in line with Hamas' policies that bans alcohol.
Back by the pool and bar staff are busy preparing hot drinks for the guests.
Even though the Israeli border is visible from the beach, there's a real sense of escapism here.

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