Friday September 22, 2006, Gaza, Palestinian Territories, Gaza Strip

Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt

Palestinians wait to cross from the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah into Egypt. The Hamas-led government faces a growing "ferment" of dissatisfaction among Palestinians suffering the effects of Western sanctions against the radical Islamic movement, a senior US official said.

A child is seen as well as the reflection of buses waiting to cross from the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah into Egypt.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Sunday November 12, 2006, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinian Fatah supporters rally marking 2nd anniversary of Yasser Arafat death

Palestinian Fatah supporters take part in a rally marking the second anniversary of the death of veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza City. Two years to the day since Arafat died on November 11, 2004 in a Paris hospital at age 75. Palestinians rallied yesterday in the West Bank to remember the man who even in death embodies their struggle for independence and statehood.

Palestinian Fatah supporters hold up a picture of Yasser Arafat take part in the rally.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Friday September 8, 2006, Gaza City, Gaza strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh vows he won't step down

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh spoke at a mosque during Friday prayers in the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip. Haniyeh declared on Friday that his embattled Hamas-led government had no intention of stepping down, despite a sweeping civil service strike that has been the widest sign of displeasure with Hamas since it came to power

Ismail Haniyeh waves to supporters after speaking at a mosque.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Sunday November 12, 2006, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinian Fatah supporters rally marking 2nd anniversary of Yasser Arafat death

Palestinian Fatah supporters take part in a rally marking the second anniversary of the death of veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza City. Two years to the day since Arafat died on November 11, 2004 in a Paris hospital at age 75. Palestinians rallied yesterday in the West Bank to remember the man who even in death embodies their struggle for independence and statehood.

Palestinian Fatah supporters take part in the rally.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Sunday November 12, 2006, Gaza, Palestinian Territories, Gaza Strip

Palestinian Fatah supporters rally marking 2nd anniversary of Yasser Arafat death

Palestinian Fatah supporters take part in a rally marking the second anniversary of the death of veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza City. Two years to the day since Arafat died on November 11, 2004 in a Paris hospital at age 75. Palestinians rallied yesterday in the West Bank to remember the man who even in death embodies their struggle for independence and statehood.

Palestinian Fatah supporters take part in the rally.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Friday December 1, 2006, Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Hamas holds rally in Gaza

Palestinian supporters of Hamas during a rally to celebrate the withdrawal of Israeli troops earlier in the week after a ceasefire, in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas convened the PLO's top decision-making body on Friday to map out a strategy after declaring that talks to form a more moderate government with ruling Hamas militants had collapsed. Abbas has two options, both problematic for him: fire the Hamas-led government or hold a national referendum on whether to call early elections.

A child attends the rally to celebrate the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Friday December 1, 2006, Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Hamas holds rally in Gaza

Senior Hamas leader Sheikh Nezar Rayan talks to Hamas supporters during a Hamas rally in the town of Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas told the PLO's top decision-making body, Friday, that unity government talks with Hamas were dead and he blamed the radical Islamic group for their collapse, participants in the meeting said

Sheikh Nezar Rayan talks to Hamas supporters during a rally.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Friday December 1, 2006, Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Hamas holds rally in Gaza

Palestinian supporters of Hamas during a rally to celebrate the withdrawal of Israeli troops earlier in the week after a ceasefire, in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas convened the PLO's top decision-making body on Friday to map out a strategy after declaring that talks to form a more moderate government with ruling Hamas militants had collapsed. Abbas has two options, both problematic for him: fire the Hamas-led government or hold a national referendum on whether to call early elections.

A child dressed as a soldier crawls on his stomach with a toy gun.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Monday August 14, 2006, Gaza Strip, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinians demonstrate for the release of jailed loved ones

Family members of Palestinians jailed in Israeli prisons take part in a demonstration outside a Red Cross office in Gaza City. Hundreds of family members attended the protest, calling for their sons to be exchanged with captured Israeli soldiers.

Palestinian demonstrators hold framed photos of jailed loved ones.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Monday August 14, 2006, Gaza Strip, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinians demonstrate for the release of jailed loved ones

Family members of Palestinians jailed in Israeli prisons take part in a demonstration outside a Red Cross office in Gaza City. Hundreds of family members attended the protest, calling for their sons to be exchanged with captured Israeli soldiers.

Palestinian demonstrators hold framed photos of jailed loved ones.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Monday August 14, 2006, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinians mourn three civilians killed in Israeli airstrike

Palestinians mourned the deaths of three civilians killed by an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip. The airstrike came after two rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza. The Israeli Army reported that the rockets were Russian-made Kayushas, similar to those used by Hezbollah militants operating in southern Lebanon.

The flag-draped body of Zoher al-Kafarnah rests in a drawer at a Gaza morgue.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Monday August 14, 2006, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinians mourn three civilians killed in Israeli airstrike

Palestinians mourned the deaths of three civilians killed by an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip. The airstrike came after two rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza. The Israeli Army reported that the rockets were Russian-made Kayushas, similar to those used by Hezbollah militants operating in southern Lebanon.

The body of Othman al-Kafarnah rests in a drawer at a Gaza morgue.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Tuesday November 28, 2006, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinian militants of the Popular Resistance Committee train with weapons

Armed and masked Palestinian militants from battalions of the Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) in the course of their military training in northern Gaza. Set up in late 2000 by former Fatah and Tanzim members, the PRC are composed of ex-Fatah militants combined with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades members. The militants are trained in the use of arms, explosives and rockets. They have been firing Qassam rockets inside Israel targeting towns and villages, and occasionnally wounding or killing Israeli civilians. At a moment where Israel has called for a truce with the Palestinian Authority who is trying to control armed factions in Gaza, the PRC's continuous attacks represent a threat to the peace process.

A masked Palistinian militant

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Tuesday November 28, 2006, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinian militants of the Popular Resistance Committee train with weapons

Armed and masked Palestinian militants from battalions of the Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) in the course of their military training in northern Gaza. Set up in late 2000 by former Fatah and Tanzim members, the PRC are composed of ex-Fatah militants combined with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades members. The militants are trained in the use of arms, explosives and rockets. They have been firing Qassam rockets inside Israel targeting towns and villages, and occasionnally wounding or killing Israeli civilians. At a moment where Israel has called for a truce with the Palestinian Authority who is trying to control armed factions in Gaza, the PRC's continuous attacks represent a threat to the peace process.

A masked Palistinian militant holds a machine gun.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Tuesday November 28, 2006, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinian militants of the Popular Resistance Committee train with weapons

Armed and masked Palestinian militants from battalions of the Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) in the course of their military training in northern Gaza. Set up in late 2000 by former Fatah and Tanzim members, the PRC are composed of ex-Fatah militants combined with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades members. The militants are trained in the use of arms, explosives and rockets. They have been firing Qassam rockets inside Israel targeting towns and villages, and occasionnally wounding or killing Israeli civilians. At a moment where Israel has called for a truce with the Palestinian Authority who is trying to control armed factions in Gaza, the PRC's continuous attacks represent a threat to the peace process.

Masked Palistinian militants hold machine guns.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Saturday November 18, 2006, Gaza Gaza city, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinian scholar and legislator Ziad Abu-Amr

Ziad Abu-Amr, 56, President of the Palestinian Council on Foreign Relations, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council since 1996, representing Gaza city, former minister of Culture in the Palestinian Authority, Professor of political science at Birzeit University, holds a doctorate in political science from Georgetown University, specializes on Islamic movements in Palestine, wrote several books and studies in Arabic and English., Dr. Abu- Amr mediates between president Abbas and the Hamas leadership and is being considered for foreign minister of the Palestinian Authority. As a professor and independent lawmaker who was backed by Hamas in the parliamentary elections in January, though he has opposed suicide bombings and supports concessions with Israel.

Ziad Abu-Amr in his office at the Palestinian Council on Foreign Relations

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Saturday November 18, 2006, Gaza Gaza city, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinian scholar and legislator Ziad Abu-Amr

Ziad Abu-Amr, 56, President of the Palestinian Council on Foreign Relations, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council since 1996, representing Gaza city, former minister of Culture in the Palestinian Authority, Professor of political science at Birzeit University, holds a doctorate in political science from Georgetown University, specializes on Islamic movements in Palestine, wrote several books and studies in Arabic and English., Dr. Abu- Amr mediates between president Abbas and the Hamas leadership and is being considered for foreign minister of the Palestinian Authority. As a professor and independent lawmaker who was backed by Hamas in the parliamentary elections in January, though he has opposed suicide bombings and supports concessions with Israel.

Ziad Abu-Amr in his office at the Palestinian Council on Foreign Relations

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Sunday November 12, 2006, Gaza, Palestinian Territories, Gaza Strip

Palestinian Fatah supporters rally marking 2nd anniversary of Yasser Arafat death

Palestinian Fatah supporters take part in a rally marking the second anniversary of the death of veteran Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza City. Two years to the day since Arafat died on November 11, 2004 in a Paris hospital at age 75. Palestinians rallied yesterday in the West Bank to remember the man who even in death embodies their struggle for independence and statehood.

Armed Palestinian Fatah supporters take part in the rally.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Thursday November 9, 2006, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinians mourn 18 killed by Israeli shelling

Tens of thousands of grieving Palestinians crammed into a makeshift cemetery to mourn 18 civilians killed when a barrage of Israeli shells tore through their homes as they slept. The shelling took Gaza residents by surprise, having occurred after the pullout of Israeli forces following a six-day incursion aimed at quelling rocket fire by Palestinian militants.

Palestinians carry the bodies of two toddlers killed during the Israeli shelling.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Thursday November 9, 2006, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinians mourn 18 killed by Israeli shelling

Tens of thousands of grieving Palestinians crammed into a makeshift cemetery to mourn 18 civilians killed when a barrage of Israeli shells tore through their homes as they slept. The shelling took Gaza residents by surprise, having occurred after the pullout of Israeli forces following a six-day incursion aimed at quelling rocket fire by Palestinian militants.

Palestinians carry the bodies of two toddlers killed during the Israeli shelling.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Thursday November 9, 2006, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinians mourn 18 killed by Israeli shelling

Tens of thousands of grieving Palestinians crammed into a makeshift cemetery to mourn 18 civilians killed when a barrage of Israeli shells tore through their homes as they slept. The shelling took Gaza residents by surprise, having occurred after the pullout of Israeli forces following a six-day incursion aimed at quelling rocket fire by Palestinian militants.

Palestinian mourners carry the bodies of several people killed during an Israeli shelling.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Wednesday November 8, 2006, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Islamic Jihad vows to unleash suicide bombers

Armed and masked Islamic Jihad militants hold a news conference following the killing of 18 people by Israeli tank shell in Beit Hanoun. The 18 members of an extended family, including eight children were asleep when the bombs hit them. Islamic Jihad vowed to restart sending suicide bombers against Israeli targets.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Wednesday November 8, 2006, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinians march to protest Beit Hanoun deaths

Palestinians march during a protest outside United Nations headquarters in Gaza City. Israeli tank shells landed in a residential neighborhood in the Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, killing at least 18 people in their sleep, including eight children, according to witnesses and hospital officials.

A Palestinian child wears a Hamas headband.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Friday August 4, 2006, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Mass wedding in Gaza

Palestinians gather in a park of the Jabaliya Refugee camp to attend the collective wedding for 200 youth organized by the Islamic Society, which is loosely associated with Hamas. Advertisements were put out for young couples in early summer. Couples had to get married between July 1 and August 15, and it had to be the first wedding for both bride and groom. Such ceremonies help the couples save the cost of a single marriage. The participants also get from the Islamic Society $500 per couple, a significant sum in Gaza, where unemployment is 40% and most civil servants haven't been paid in five months. Traditional folk wedding songs and religious anthems played over the speakers. Each of the grooms filed into the park hand-in-hand with a young girl, usually a relative. The escorts served as proxy brides in heavy makeup and white dresses. The brides do not appear on stage.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Wednesday May 24, 2006, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinan Territories

Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade militants prepare to patrol the streets of Gaza

Palestinian militants from the Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade take part in a rally as they prepare to share patrolling duties with members of the newly-formed paramilitary force created by the Hamas-led Palestinian government.

An Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade militant marches with a rocket propelled grenade (RPG).

Credit: Naaman Omar / Apollo / Polaris

Wednesday May 24, 2006, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinan Territories

Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade militants prepare to patrol the streets of Gaza

Palestinian militants from the Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade take part in a rally as they prepare to share patrolling duties with members of the newly-formed paramilitary force created by the Hamas-led Palestinian government.

A bandolier of bullets is seen on the chest of an Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade militant.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Apollo / Polaris

Friday August 17, 1906, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas views military exercises

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas watched military exercises during a graduation ceremony for members of the presidential guard in Gaza city. Abbas said today that he was working on a plan with Arab allies to revive the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process ahead of the UN General Assembly in September 2006. 'We are in consultation with Arab countries and friends to present a plan based on international legitimacy to the UN General Assembly in order to revive the peace process.'

Members of the Palestinian Presidential Guard march in formation.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Sunday September 24, 2006, Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, Gaza Strip

Palestinian militant leade hold Gaza City press conference

Palestinian militants from a splinter group affiliated with the Popular Resistance Committee stand guard as they take part in a news conference at a mosque in Gaza City. The news conference was held by gunmen considered to be Islamic militants and they threatened to attack any Palestinian Authority coalition government they view as too moderate. 'We consider any government that recognizes Israel as a legitimate target,' said one of the gunmen, who would only identify himself by his nom de guerre, Abu Abir. Even though the gunmen represent only a small splinter group, it marked the first time Palestinian militants said publicly they are prepared to attack government officials.

A gunman stands on security detail during a press conference held by Palestinian militant leader Abu Abir.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Sunday September 17, 2006, Gaza, Palestinian Territories, Gaza Strip

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh speaks to journalists

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of the Islamic group Hamas waves to journalists as he arrives at his office in Gaza City. U.S. demands that a new Palestinian government recognize Israel have forced Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas to delay talks on forming a coalition, officials said.

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of the Islamic group Hamas.

Credit: Naaman Omar / Polaris

Naaman Omar

Naaman Omar was born in Gaza, Palestine in 1978. In 2001 he received a BA in Journalism from the Islamic University in Gaza City.

With three years of experience documenting the Palestinian Territories, his work has appeared in the Journal du Dimanche, Newsweek, Muenchener Mer, Wiki, and Irinnews.

Naaman is currently based in Gaza.