Palestinian youth Mohammed Salem visits tents and shelters housing displaced families in northern Gaza, performing as a clown in colourful clothing and a red nose.
Palestinian youth Mohammed Salem visits tents and shelters housing displaced families in northern Gaza, performing as a clown in colourful clothing and a red nose. Known among children as “Uncle Tito,” he uses circus acts, bicycle tricks, juggling, magic tricks, games and small gifts to engage children affected by the ongoing conflict. His activities aim to provide recreation and emotional support to children whose lives have been disrupted by bombardment, displacement, the destruction of homes and the loss of family members.
According to a report by Al-Quds newspaper, Salem began training in circus arts at the Gaza Circus School at the age of 12. After six years of training, he began using his skills for community-based activities at the age of 18. He now performs for children from displaced Palestinian families in northern Gaza. His program includes riding a unicycle, juggling objects, organizing games and distributing gifts. He also incorporates basic educational activities to help children continue learning despite school closures and interruptions to their education. Salem has experienced displacement and loss himself. His family home was completely destroyed during the war, and several family members were injured. His family subsequently had to live in a shelter, where access to food and clean water remains a daily concern. Despite these difficulties and the responsibility of supporting his own family, Salem continues to perform for children in displacement shelters.
In a previous interview with the British newspaper The Independent, Salem described the challenges of living in northern Gaza. He said he had not expected his circus training to become a way of supporting hundreds of children during a war. He explained that obtaining food and water remained difficult, but he continued visiting centers and schools being used as shelters for displaced families. Salem said his aim was to give children opportunities to take part in activities that could provide a temporary break from the difficulties of daily life. His performances include bicycle tricks, magic acts, games and competitions. Because schools in the area have closed, he also incorporates counting exercises and other basic educational activities into some sessions.
Children exposed to prolonged conflict can experience significant psychological stress as a result of bombardment, repeated displacement, injuries, separation from family members and the loss of loved ones. Recreational activities, creative expression and positive interaction with adults can provide opportunities for children to engage with others and temporarily shift their attention away from stressful circumstances. However, such activities do not replace professional medical or psychological care.
The destruction and closure of educational institutions in Gaza have disrupted schooling for many children. Some school buildings have also been used as shelters for displaced families. By including basic learning activities in his performances, Salem seeks to maintain children's engagement with education while formal schooling remains unavailable or limited. His work combines recreation with informal educational activities and social interaction.
The scale of the impact of the conflict on children is reflected in figures cited in a Roya News report dated October 21, 2026. According to the report, which referenced UNICEF data, at least 217,000 Palestinian children had reportedly been killed and 45,000 injured in Gaza as of June 30, 2026, following the escalation of the war in October 2023. More than 11,000 injured children were reported to have sustained injuries with potentially lifelong consequences. The report also stated that children continued to be killed and injured after a ceasefire was announced in October 2025, while approximately 800,000 children remained displaced.
These figures underscore the humanitarian challenges facing children in Gaza, including displacement, interrupted education and limited access to essential services. Salem's performances represent one community-level effort to provide recreational activities to children living in shelters. His work takes place alongside his own family's struggle to secure food, water and accommodation following the destruction of their home. In his previous interview, Salem also described the impact of his family's losses, including the destruction of their home, injuries to relatives and the death of his elder sister's husband. He said that continuing to perform for children had become an important part of his life despite these difficulties.
The Gaza Circus School, where Salem received his training, was established to teach young people circus skills and performing arts. In the current circumstances, these skills are being used not only for entertainment but also to organize activities for children affected by conflict and displacement. Salem's work illustrates how individuals living through a humanitarian crisis may use their skills to support others in their communities. While his performances cannot address the wider consequences of the war or replace damaged homes, schools and medical facilities, they provide children in displacement shelters with opportunities for play, social interaction and informal learning. His activities also highlight the continuing need for safe spaces, educational opportunities and psychological support for children affected by the conflict.
