As the majority of Gaza's buildings lie in ruins due to ongoing Israeli strikes, architects from across Palestine are trying to gain access to the blockaded territory to support Gazans in starting to rebuild their homes and neighbourhoods.
"We have been banging on the door to get in since November," said Nasser Golzari and Yara Sharif, partners of London firm Golzari NG and founders of Architects for Gaza. "As soon as there is a window, many of us will try to get in."
"The focus these days is mainly on letting in medical practitioners because there is a huge demand and need for them," added Palestinian-American architect and Harvard fellow Salem Al Qudwa, who has been looking for an aid organisation to get him into Gaza since the start of the war. "Hopefully the next phase will be the reconstruction experts."
"It's their home and it's their right"
Their aim is to avoid reconstruction becoming another thing imposed on locals following the last eight months of war and 57 years of Israeli occupation.
"We think the reconstruction has to take place not only with major involvement and led by Palestinians but actually led by the families of Gazans who have lost their homes, lost their cities, lost their streets and their neighbourhoods," Golzari said.
"In the case of Gaza, it is so important that it is they who are doing it because it is their land, it's their home and it's their right."
Salem Al Qudwa has helpe...