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Gaza Attempting to Break Kite Flying Record
Thousands of children from the Gaza Strip attempted to set the new world record for kite flying. There were hundreds of colorful kites flying amid the ruins of Israel’s offensive last year. This was a joyous day for this seaside territory ruled by Hamas militants.
The kite flying event was sponsored by the United Nations. There were almost 6,000 campers brought to a beach in the north of Gaza where the kites were let off into the sky.
"We hope that we can be free and can enjoy the same freedom these kites enjoy in the air. All we are looking for is to grow up like normal children," said Marwan Mohammad an 11-year-old that participated in the event. "We are happy we came here."
Since Israel’s bombardment last year, the militants have mostly stopped firing rockets across the border and Israel has reduced its military activities which has allowed daily life to resume in Gaza.
The Guinness Book of World Records said it received an application from Gaza for "most kites flown simultaneously." Guinness was unable to attend because of travel restrictions into Gaza.
But the children would be able to break the record without a judge by verifying the accomplishment in other ways. The current record stands at 967, set last year in Germany. The UN agency reported that the Gaza children smashed the record and will release the final tally on Saturday.
"The symbolism of thousands of children in one of the world’s most locked up communities, creating beautiful kites, letting them soar upward, is truly beautiful" said Christopher Gunness a spokesman for the U.N.
