‘There are not many outlets for fun’: the Gazan arts centre that keeps music alive

Concerts are banned thanks to Hamas hardliners, but the Delia arts centre is determined to give young musicians a chance to play

Wafaa Al-Najili's voice, fiery and bright, enchants the group of young people clustered around an audio workstation at the Delia arts centre in Gaza City. Together, they muse over how to mix her vocals with the other tracks of their latest project, a new recording of a traditional choral song.

Outside, the neighbourhood still bears scars from last year's fighting between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in control of the Gaza Strip. The joint Israeli and Egyptian blockade that isolates Gaza from the rest of the world means rebuilding efforts have been slow.