Three tents line a stretch of overcrowded, windswept sand in al-Mawasi, Gaza, their windows open to the Mediterranean. From inside, the sounds of singing, guitar, violin and flute emerge, offering a stark contrast to the surrounding devastation: rows of makeshift shelters, rubble-strewn roads, and the constant hum of Israeli drones.
Conservatory destroyed, music reborn
The tents are the new home of the Gaza branch of Palestine's national conservatory, named after Edward Said. Founded in 1993, the institution once boasted well-equipped offices in Gaza City, three pianos, and extensive archives. All were destroyed during the Israeli offensive between October 2023 and October 2025, which killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities. The war was triggered by a Hamas raid on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages.
Ahmed Abu Amsha, a musician and teacher, is leading efforts to rebuild the conservatory's programmes. Originally from Beit Hanoun, he now oversees activities in central Gaza, teaching guitar and supervising choirs. "Once, back before the war, music for many people was a means of entertainment and personal development. Now music has become an important tool for psychological relief. We work with lots of children who suffer from trauma and psychological distress caused by the war," Amsha said.
Loss and resilience among students
Almost all teachers and students were displaced, some injured or killed. "One of the most heartbreaking moments was the loss of one of my students, Yusuf Salman, who was one of the most disciplined, polite and talented students. He studied guitar with me … and was killed when a cafe was bombed. It was an extremely painful loss," said Abu Amsha.
Despite the challenges, demand for music lessons remains high. Mohammad Khader, 17, who began learning the oud at the conservatory 10 years ago, now also teaches new students. Displaced from his home in the north, he lives in a tent with his family near Deir-al-Balah. "Whenever I feel stressed or upset, I turn to music because it calms my nerves and gives me a sense of peace. I feel that I belong to music, just as music belongs to me," he said.
Improvisation with limited resources
Osama Jahjouh, a flute teacher since 2012, lost all his instruments during the war. "When I was displaced after my home was destroyed, I lost three bags containing flutes and found myself without any musical instrument but I refused to give up. I returned once again to the idea of making a flute from plastic tubing, as I had done when a child. It was difficult, as flute making requires precise measurements for tone holes and placement but I managed to produce a playable instrument," he said.
In the largest tent, a dozen young people gather to sing, play and listen. Yara Abu Amsha, 15, has been learning the violin for eight months. "I chose the violin because I felt it is closest to my personality and most expressive of my feelings. The violin is a deeply emotional instrument; its sound is calm and beautiful, and it has a great ability to convey emotions and feelings. Music means a lot to me. Before the war, I didn't think about it in this way but during the war I discovered that it has become a real refuge for us. Even if only for a short while, music gives us a chance to escape reality," she said.
Ceasefire stalled, reconstruction minimal
Since the ceasefire nine months ago, almost no reconstruction has occurred due to Israeli restrictions on goods entering Gaza and stalled negotiations over Hamas disarmament. Many in Gaza still face hunger, water shortages, and lack of medical supplies. Teachers travel hours across rubble-filled roads to reach students. The conservatory's activities now focus on choral singing and practical instrument training due to limited resources.
