. >> reporter: last month, three children from gaza visited camashi. the city was one of the places hit by the massive tsunami of 2011. over 1,000 people there died or are listed as missing. now, four years later, the local people are stepping up their efforts to review the area. one of the visitors drew inspiration from the ongoing recovery. >> translator: people here are trying to overcome difficulties. this is a good example for us. i hope gaza will be like this some day. >> reporter: gaza still lives under a constant military threat. last year more than 2,000 people died in attacks by israel's armed forces. an apartment block next to her house was destroyed. many of her neighbors have left the area. >> translator: i was so afraid, really afraid. >> reporter: due to israel's economic blockade, little rebuilding has been done. residents aren't even free to travel in and out of the gaza strip. and some people call it an open air prison. despite the ongoing hardships, children in gaza mark the anniversary of japan's 2011 quake and tsunami every year. t