Nearly 800 Palestinian athletes, sports officials killed by Israel in Gaza, West Bank since 7 October

The Israeli military has killed nearly 800 Palestinian athletes and sports administrators since the start of the war on Gaza over 20 months ago.

Suzanne Shalabi, the Palestinian Football Association’s Vice President, said a total of 786 athletes from various sports have been killed since 7 October, 2023, with the majority of casualties being from Gaza, while others were killed in the West Bank.

Shalabi told the Anadolu news agency that over half of the athletes killed were footballers, numbering at 437 players.

She added that the Palestinian Football Association is attempting to determine the exact numbers via player registration documents and information provided from the FA’s branch in Gaza.

She stressed that the figures given could be much higher because many more casualties were buried under rubble and parts of Gaza were difficult to access amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment and siege.

Israel has also attacked sporting facilities across the Palestinian territories. 

The deadly military campaign has led to the complete or partial destruction of 288 sports facilities, including 21 in the occupied West Bank. These facilities encompass stadiums, sports halls, and clubs.

Several well-known names in Palestinian sport have been killed by Israeli fire. Among them is Mohammed Barakat, who was killed in March last year after the Israeli military struck his home.

Known as "the legend of Khan Younis," Barakat played for the Palestinian national side as well as the Ahly Gaza football club.

Other beloved Palestinian names killed by Israel’s offensive include Hani Al-Masdar, a prominent footballer and former staff member of the Palestinian Olympic team, Al-Breij basketball player Bassim al-Nabahi and Al-Ahli Beit Hanoon footballer Rashid Dabbour.

Youth players and aspiring footballers have also been killed amid Israel’s onslaught. The Palestinian football captain Mohammed Rashid has described Israel's targeting of sporting life in the territories 'sporticide'.

At least 56,531 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in Gaza since October 2023, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The true death toll, however, is believed to be much higher as thousands of uncounted victims are buried under rubble.

In the West Bank at least 941 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.

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