Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Kamal Abdel-Malek killed in Gaza air strike
Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Kamal Fares Abdel-Malek, 20, was killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza City’s southern Sabra neighbourhood, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said. Abdel-Malek was captain and goalkeeper of Gaza Sports Club, which finished runner-up in the Gaza and Northern Gaza division of the Thousand Martyrs Cup just five days before his death.
The tournament honours more than 1,000 athletes and sports officials killed in Gaza since October 2023. More than 200 clubs took part, including 146 from the occupied West Bank, 44 from Gaza and 36 from Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. It was held simultaneously across the three locations and was presented by PFA President Jibril Rajoub as evidence that Palestinians had retained their national will and belief in sport as a symbol of hope.
According to PFA figures, Abdel-Malek was the 1,017th person involved in sport killed in Gaza during Israel’s war on the enclave. His death followed the killing of 15-year-old Mohammad Nidal Barbak, who was shot while playing football in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis. Palestinian sports officials say Israeli attacks have destroyed more than 50 of Gaza’s 56 sports clubs, along with stadiums, sports halls, academies and about 20 five-a-side pitches. The Palestinian Ministry of Health says at least 74,645 Palestinians have been killed and 175,978 injured since October 7, 2023.
Continue in the app — vote & join in ➔