Gaza children keep playing football despite Israel's devastation

Amid the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza that have destroyed homes, schools and sports facilities, Palestinian children and youth continue to gather on makeshift fields in tents and rubble to play football. One child, Muhammed Said, lost both legs in the bombings yet still chases a ball among the wreckage, symbolising the community’s resilience.

Local coaches and former national‑team players such as Muhammed Suveyrki and Muhammed Süleyman Halil have organized informal training sessions, pulling talent from the streets and camps. Despite the lack of proper pitches, the youngsters dream of representing the Palestinian national team and even playing for European clubs. Their determination highlights football as a source of hope and normalcy in a war‑torn environment.

Humanitarian agencies report that Gaza now has the world’s highest rate of child amputations, underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis the sport‑focused youths are trying to rise above.