Mahmoud Kamal Faris Abdel Malek, a 20-year-old goalkeeper for Gaza Sports Club, was killed during an airstrike by Israeli forces targeting Al-Maghribi Street in the Sabra neighborhood of southern Gaza City. The Palestinian Football Association officially confirmed his martyrdom, stating that this brings the total number of martyrs in the Palestinian sports movement to 1,017 since the full-scale aggression on Gaza began in October 2023.
Only days before his death, Abdel Malek led his team to the final of the "Thousand Martyrs Cup," a tournament held to honor athletes who lost their lives under Israeli fire. His loss is a severe blow to Gaza Sports Club, which counted on him as a rising talent hoping to represent Palestine internationally.
This tragic event highlights the systematic targeting of sports personnel in the besieged Gaza Strip, where stadiums and sports grounds have become targets of Israeli bombardment. The sports sector endures immense hardship amid widespread destruction.
Prior to Abdel Malek, Mohammad Nidal Barbakh, a 15-year-old player from Al-Najma Sports Academy, was also killed while practicing his passion in Khan Younis. The deaths underscore the targeting of Palestinian youth and sports.
The martyr list includes notable figures such as goalkeeper Salim Al-Ashqar from Khan Younis and international star Suleiman Al-Ubaid, nicknamed "Palestine's Pele," who died waiting for humanitarian aid. Official statistics indicate that 567 football players alone are counted among the 1,017 sports martyrs, with athletes targeted at their homes, shelters, and fields.
The ongoing violence raises sharp questions about FIFA's silence as Israeli teams continue competing internationally without repercussions. Despite the losses, Palestinian sports symbolize resilience and the will to live.
The Palestinian sports community calls for international protection of athletes and sports facilities and an end to the impunity enjoyed by Israeli forces.