Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar killed in Gaza by Israeli forces

Saleem Al‑Ashqar, a 32‑year‑old goalkeeper for the Gaza club Khadamat Khan Younis (also formerly with Al‑Aqsa and Al‑Masdar), was shot by Israeli army forces during an operation in the Al‑Qarara area northeast of Khan Younis. The bullet struck his abdomen, causing severe organ damage and internal bleeding; he died about two hours later despite emergency treatment.

Al‑Ashqar had married five months earlier and his wife was pregnant with their first child at the time of his death. The Palestine Football Association reported his killing and noted that more than 1,000 Palestinian athletes have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023. International clubs, including Chile’s Club Deportivo Palestino, issued statements of condolence and called for justice and peace. Israeli Defence Forces have not commented on the specific incident.