As of 26 July 2024, 245 footballers (69 children and 176 young men), were killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza according to the Palestine Olympic Committee and the Palestinian Football Association. By August 2025, 421 football players, were killed in Gaza and the West Bank. The Israeli invasions have also led to destruction of stadiums and closure of clubs.

Football is a passion for Palestinians. This they have in common with Scotland – where of course the game was invented.

Today, Scotland is playing in the FIFA World Cup, being hosted by 3 countries, the U.S, Canada, and Mexico.

Meanwhile Gaza is being razed to the ground – obliterated in a 21st century genocide to enable Israel to achieve its ultimate goal – a Greater Israel.

Gaza produced great footballers.

Mohammed Barakat was killed in an Israeli bombing of his house in Khan Younis on 11th March 2024. Barakat represented the national Palestine team, for whom he appeared three times, and the Ahly Gaza football club in the local league. A top goal scorer his death was called a “huge loss for Palestinian football” by Khalid Abu-Habel, a local club footballer.

Hani Al-Masdar, one of Palestine’s greatest footballers and a manager of the Olympic team, was killed in January 2024. On his death The New York Times related that Al-Masdar, a Real Madrid supporter, would wear the No 7 shirt of his favourite player — Cristiano Ronaldo.

Al-Masdar won trophies and, coming of age as Palestine gained FIFA status in 1998, began to play for his country. In 2003, his club lifted the Gaza Cup; a photo of Al-Masdar lifting the trophy as their 22-year-old captain was his profile picture on social media until he died. After retiring in 2018, Al-Masdar became a coach. He attended multiple matches each weekend and was instantly recognisable.

Dozens of football facilities have been decimated including all of Gaza’s professional football stadiums, as well as the PFA headquarters, which was targeted by Israeli airstrikes. In January 2024, video emerged of Israeli troops using Yarmouk Stadium as a temporary jail for Palestinian prisoners. A group of armed troops and tanks surrounded the field and people with eyes covered, some “stripped down to their underwear”.

Palestinian girls and women play football. Just this week Israel ‘detained’ Rand al-Halawani a female Palestinian football player. She was released after a few days of ‘questioning’ but remains under house arrest – which means she cannot train or play. Her former team mate Natalie Abu Diya is still being held.

“There has been an unprecedented and continuing escalation in the targeting of girls and female university students,” – Palestinian Prisoner Society President Abdullah Zghari.

On Saturday, 13 June, between 1 and 2pm, Peace campaigners in Orkney invite all to join with them in vigil on the Kirk Green, St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.

Every week since the end of October 2023, islanders have been joined by visitors in vigil. The events are unprecedented in the history of Orkney. A public show of solidarity with the Palestinian people, and compassion for those living in fear and violence. The Orkney News has been there to document the activism of those with care and compassion for others far beyond the islands’ shores.

The Names of Some of the Footballers in Gaza: Killed, Injured or Detained by Israel, since October 7 2023.

KILLED.

Nazir Al-Nashash, Rashid Dabour, Mohammed Al-Refi, Baraa Madaht, Haitham Al-Ara’er (Goal Keeper), Mohammed Al-Ghazali, Mohammed Akram Hajazi, Ibrahim Abu Zaid, Mohammed Husuna, Mohammed Al-Taweel, Osama Abu Nahar , Mohammed Qanan, Mohammed Al-Muqayad, Mohammed Abu Dan,  Fathi Is’eifan,  Abdul Qader Al-‘Atar , Ahmed Hatem Al-Fara,  Abdullah Abu Sleima, Mohammed Abu Saleima, Abdul Rahman Al-Aqad, Raed Baroud, Ahmed Awad (Short Stature Football), Rashid Eid, Tareq Al-Hour, Mohammed Al-Hour, Abdullah Abu Al-Haiga, Mohammed Awad Al-Najjar, Ahmed Riah,  Abdul Rahman Khattab,  Emad Hamdan,  Emad Akram Hajazi, Shadi Sabah, Osama Abu Nassar, Yahya Al-Agha, Mohammed Abu Hassaira, Mahmoud Abu Saleima,  Mahmoud Abu Dan – Mohammad Abu Dan, Mohammad Mahmoud Al-Qan, Mohammad Ahmed Abu Zaid (Former President of Shabab Al-Zawayda Club), Ahmad Adu (Palestinian Short Stature Football Team), Ismail Abu Shamlah (Board Member of the Khadamat Al-Maghazi Club), Mohammed Hassouna (Captain of Shabab Al-Zawayda Club), Mahmoud Afana (Goalkeeper Coach, Al-Zaytoun Club), Mohammed Drabieh (Assistant Football Referee), Khaled Budeir (Football Referee), Mohammed Al-Maflouh (Shabab Jabalia Club), Nihad Al-Maflouh (Coach, Shabab Jabalia Club), Yousef Dawood, Adli Al-Rafati (Palestine National Team for People with Disabilities), Ahmad Alwan (Nama’ Club), Mohammad Nidal Al-Hawajri (Khadamat Al-Nussairat Club), Subhi Farawna (Board Member of Itihad Khan Younis club), Jamal Al-‘Oqaili Abu Yousef (Chief of Appeals Committee at PFA), Jihad Al-Haj Ahmad (Observer of Football tournaments),  Ahmad –‘Allan (Jabal Al-Mukaber), Khaled Zubaidi (Zeita Club), Mohammad Faisal Abu ‘Awaad (Nour Shams Club), Mohammad Marwan Tatari, Mo’een Mughrabi (Palestine Football National Team player; Holder of First Bronze Medal in 1999 in the Arab Championship),  Subhi Abu Samra (Professionals Academy),  Musa Musleh (Al-Mashtal Club),  Omar Abu ‘Anza (Shabab Rafah Club), Mohammad Barakat (Palestine Football National Team), Mahmoud Al-Khatib – Football Coach (Shabab Rafah Club), Tala Kleib – Coach of Khan Younis Club Football team, Munatser Nofel – President of Al-Sadaqa Club Fans Association, Hani Al-Masdar – Assistant Coach of Palestine Olympic Football Team, Muhammad Khattab – Football International Referee.

INJURED:

Abdullah Al-Soufi – Player, Shabab Rafah Club; Sa’eed Al-Kurd – Coach, Khadamat Al-Maghazi Club; Mohammed Al-Rakhawi – Football Player; Islam Al-Shakhreet – Football Referee

‘DETAINED’:

Issa Ali – Goalkeeper, Beit Ummar Football Club; Mohammed Ali – Player, Beit Ummar Football Club.

Fiona Grahame