As troops dismantle settlements in the Gaza Strip, barriers of hostility are falling down in Ottawa. At the second annual Israeli-Palestinian Peace Camp Canada, youth from both sides of the Middle East conflict are learning about their common humanity.

"I was raised in an environment which was all the time afraid of Palestinians, and paranoid, and so was I," camper Giora Roukavishnikov told CJOH News.

Roukavishnikov had never met Palestinians before coming to the camp. Now, he is able to recognize a shared experience of violence.

"I understand them. I know how they feel. I pretty much feel they're the same as me," Roukavishnikov said.

The 10-day event is being held at Ottawa's Ashbury College. Thirty high school students from Israel and Palestine are meeting to compare their experiences and resolve their differences.

Campers participate in daily discussions about the Middle East conflict, and learn about each others' religion and beliefs.

Palestinian camper Bisan Salameh told Canada AM that just seeing the faces of Israelis has been an enlightening experience.

She said he has been able to see "the human side of the Israeli – not being my enemy, but the Israelis themselves. Having the same hopes, having the same interests."

Aside from participating in dialogues about the conflict, campers also engage in more traditional camp activities, like soccer, volleyball and swimming. Camp directors say the social activities help break down stereotypes.

Elan Divon, one of the camp's directors, is optimistic that the camp will be a success. Like the campers themselves, Divon was born in the region and grew up in the same violent environment.

"Who would have imagined 60 years ago that Jews and Germans could reconcile after the Holocaust," Divon told CJOH News. "Or the Japanese and Americans. I think everything is possible. The bottom line is that you need education to bring peace."

At least one camper can already attest to the camp's ability to bring enemies together.

"I began to cry, because they are my friends now," participant Nidal Salameh said.

With a report from CJOH, CTV's affiliate station in Ottawa