The Palestinian Sports Media Association (PSMA) reported that the Israeli military has killed 708 Palestinian athletes, including 95 children, since launching its aggression on the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

According to Mustafa Siyam, head of the PSMA, the victims include 369 football players, 105 scouting organization members, and 234 athletes from various sports federations. He noted that the numbers are not final due to ongoing airstrikes, missing persons under the rubble, and restricted access to affected areas.

'Existential challenge' 

Recent casualties include Ahmed Haroun, coach of the Al-Ribat Palestinian Handball Club, killed by Israeli artillery in the Nuseirat refugee camp, and young football player Anas Al-Dabaji, who was killed in an airstrike that targeted his family’s home in Gaza.

Siyam revealed that 273 sports facilities, including stadiums, gyms, and clubhouses, have been partially or completely destroyed by Israeli attacks. He accused "Israel" of intentionally targeting Palestinian sports as a fundamental part of Gaza’s social and cultural identity, calling the assaults an "existential challenge" for the sports community.

“These attacks will significantly impact the future of Palestinian sports in the Gaza Strip and have devastating effects on thousands of athletes,” Siyam stated.

US-lsraeli thugs killed the player and sports coach Ahmed Fouad Haroun, a member of the Board of Directors of the Al-Nuseirat Services Club and a player on the Palestinian handball team, as a result of a bombing that targeted his home in the Al-Nuseirat camp. https://t.co/ZyKGUJw9yU

— 🇵🇸 Sheikha's Universe 🇸🇩 🇱🇧🔮✨ (@TheOnlySheikha) January 11, 2025

He urged the international community and global sports federations to "take immediate action to halt Israel's violations and protect Palestinian athletes and sports facilities."

The developments come amid continued Israeli bombardment of Gaza. The civil defense agency in Gaza reported that "Israel" has killed at least 70 children in the last five days.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former war minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 46,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

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