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Sneaking across Israeli border last resort for desperate Gazans

Illegal crossings by Gaza's youths have been increasing despite the fact that those who cross are almost always detained by Israeli forces.
Israeli soldiers take part in a surprise drill near the border with the Gaza Strip (seen in the background), launched to maintain the readiness of the forces in the area, March 22, 2015. REUTERS/Amir Cohen  - RTR4UDRP
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RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been illegally crossing the eastern border into Israel for years. Yet, what was once a rare phenomenon has now transformed into an almost daily occurrence. Palestinian youths hope to find a better life and jobs across the border, or even obtain refugee status, but they are almost always detained by Israel. Regardless, more and more youths are risking their lives to sneak across the border.

In east Gaza's Maghazi refugee camp, 15-year-old Ismail, a pseudonym, tried to sneak into Israel as a way to escape his family's difficult financial and psychological situation.

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