Palestinian athletes killed in Gaza reach 1,014

The number of Palestinian athletes killed during the conflict in the Gaza Strip has reached 1,014, according to Mustafa Siam, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Sports Media Federation. The casualties include players, coaches, referees, and officials from the Palestinian Football Association.

The latest fatality was Abdel Fattah Abu Al-Aish, a defender for Jabalia Services Club, who was killed in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City. Abu Al-Aish was reportedly preparing to compete in the “Thousand Martyrs Cup,” a tournament organized by the Palestinian Football Association scheduled to begin on September 4.

Beyond human casualties, the region's sports infrastructure has faced extensive destruction. More than 50 of the 56 clubs in Gaza have been destroyed, along with approximately 20 five-a-side fields supported by FIFA. The Federation described the situation as an “existential crisis” for Palestinian sports, noting that athletes and officials have also faced killings and arrests in the West Bank.