![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FM32HQKVMRJDFCQMDQZB7LTLKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ec93755801b9b8333a80ee2d1884e5c5cc0c7bd135e499e53d84dc90757a5d0&width=400&height=225)
Israeli rockets hit the mixed-use Italian Complex, which housed hosting residential units and commercial offices, during the 2014 Israeli attack on Gaza. Twenty-five people were wounded in the attack. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AD6FEP3KPUY2JIN27L2QXKPGXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8664724a47a22e97417ab2b6ddc2805c77bd3acd2d478f19c16c5f61318197e7&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian artist Ali al-Jabali displays his painting during his exhibition ''Dreamers among the rubble'. Courtesy Fady Hanona
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The exhibition is on show in the crumbling Italian Complex, which was destroyed in the recent Israeli war on Gaza. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OXJOSLFRN3VYLP523W2ITHE4IQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2500f1794a6727ad5b3ef3e7fa35ef0882257af246738500f9edb523b6326c40&width=400&height=225)
Al-Jabali walks onlookers through the exhibit. Courtesy Fady Hanona
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Palestinian artist Ali al-Jabali, displays his a painting during his an exhibition ''Dreamers among the rubble'' on the Italy tower, which was destroyed in the recent Israeli war on Gaza Strip. Courtesy Fady Hanona
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al-Jabali poses in front of his art works. Courtesy Fady Hanona
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'I began to draw portraits and faces that reflect the destruction that we live and the dream we aspire to achieve.,' al-Jabali says of his work. Courtesy Fady Hanona
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Al-Jabali was born and raised in Gaza, and has weathered the wars throughout his life. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5XTO3NUKKFYLF7H276TVBUZLKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=35a81a6b364a58ebc33aa971ac105cb5f13c4d6856c6af2d75ccb6fd87d855ff&width=400&height=225)
The second part of the exhibition contains oil paintings in wooden frames. These paintings aim to project the notion that each citizen has the 'right to life'. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FM32HQKVMRJDFCQMDQZB7LTLKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ec93755801b9b8333a80ee2d1884e5c5cc0c7bd135e499e53d84dc90757a5d0&width=400&height=225)
Israeli rockets hit the mixed-use Italian Complex, which housed hosting residential units and commercial offices, during the 2014 Israeli attack on Gaza. Twenty-five people were wounded in the attack. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AD6FEP3KPUY2JIN27L2QXKPGXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8664724a47a22e97417ab2b6ddc2805c77bd3acd2d478f19c16c5f61318197e7&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian artist Ali al-Jabali displays his painting during his exhibition ''Dreamers among the rubble'. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NMRMNM2CHNOILBNVV7FHPMZCJU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0cad03b01e2d012763ba4fde128ca91ab79fe2be815e41a28b2c5ecfce9ee48e&width=400&height=225)
The exhibition is on show in the crumbling Italian Complex, which was destroyed in the recent Israeli war on Gaza. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OXJOSLFRN3VYLP523W2ITHE4IQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2500f1794a6727ad5b3ef3e7fa35ef0882257af246738500f9edb523b6326c40&width=400&height=225)
Al-Jabali walks onlookers through the exhibit. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RGOB4YFV5KYLTFWTVYNBYCJAXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2db2f96a27fdbf2e319b0e5bdc3b6d2efc2d45df91754c57505dafa363bb01b5&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian artist Ali al-Jabali, displays his a painting during his an exhibition ''Dreamers among the rubble'' on the Italy tower, which was destroyed in the recent Israeli war on Gaza Strip. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S23HLEMKOA4WZVAAFK7YE3A4FE.jpg?smart=true&auth=b77f89023a312ef283020dd420aa5a1da70b3f22895d67be5ee9a28650964f11&width=400&height=225)
al-Jabali poses in front of his art works. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CCPMEVQQEF6BF3Y2BWVBWBUPCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e121f0fe172596f108cba8c3a8e887d532c657c58f612fc3913b0680eb5f981&width=400&height=225)
'I began to draw portraits and faces that reflect the destruction that we live and the dream we aspire to achieve.,' al-Jabali says of his work. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KHG2WPZNO5HJJAE55F7C4JU6PA.jpg?smart=true&auth=0600760782cb1fb3fe8693533ff858039f27639c3d60c7d3a2133f1eafd7b723&width=400&height=225)
Al-Jabali was born and raised in Gaza, and has weathered the wars throughout his life. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5XTO3NUKKFYLF7H276TVBUZLKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=35a81a6b364a58ebc33aa971ac105cb5f13c4d6856c6af2d75ccb6fd87d855ff&width=400&height=225)
The second part of the exhibition contains oil paintings in wooden frames. These paintings aim to project the notion that each citizen has the 'right to life'. Courtesy Fady Hanona
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FM32HQKVMRJDFCQMDQZB7LTLKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ec93755801b9b8333a80ee2d1884e5c5cc0c7bd135e499e53d84dc90757a5d0&width=400&height=225)
Israeli rockets hit the mixed-use Italian Complex, which housed hosting residential units and commercial offices, during the 2014 Israeli attack on Gaza. Twenty-five people were wounded in the attack. Courtesy Fady Hanona
Dreamers Among The Rubble: Meet the Gaza artist who created an open-air gallery in a bombed building
Ali al-Jabali has painted the walls of the sprawling Italian Complex in central Gaza, which was reduced to rubble after an air strike, with the haunting faces of those who yearn for a better life
Fady Hanona
Ashleigh Stewart
18 June, 2019
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