Stars Extinguished Before They Could Shine

Palestinian Athletes Lost to War

The war claimed the lives of many Palestinian athletes before they could fulfill their dreams. They could have inspired generations, but their voices were silenced unjustly. The world must remember their stolen potential.

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Suleiman Ahmed Zaid Al-Obeid

1984 – 2025

Suleiman Ahmed Zaid Al-Obeid, a distinguished Palestinian footballer, was born on March 24, 1984, in Gaza. Due to his exceptional skills and playing style, he was nicknamed the “Palestinian Pelé” and the “Palestinian Henry.”

  • Began his professional career with Khadamat Al-Shati Club in Gaza.

  • Later joined Markaz Shabab Al-Am’ari, where he played for four seasons.

  • Won the West Bank Premier League title in 2011 with Al-Am’ari.

  • Scored more than 100 goals throughout his club career.

  • Played in multiple attacking positions, including striker and right winger.

  • His early career was also covered by The New York Times.

  • Represented the Palestinian national team between 2007 and 2013.

  • Played 19 international matches, scoring 2 goals.

  • Scored his first international goal with a spectacular bicycle kick against Yemen in the 2010 WAFF Championship.

  • Participated in the qualifiers for the 2012 AFC Asian Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

  • Married and father of five children.

  • His home was destroyed in an airstrike in early 2025.

  • Lived with his family in a tent among the ruins of Gaza afterward.

  • Date: August 6, 2025 (15 Muharram 1446 / 15 Mordad 1404).

  • Location: Gaza Strip, while waiting for humanitarian aid distribution.

  • According to the Palestinian Football Association, he was the 421st member of the federation killed in Israeli attacks.

  • Family and teammates reported that no warning was given before the shooting.

  • The incident took place near a humanitarian aid center in southern Gaza.

  • His killing sparked widespread reactions across the sports world.

  • Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s star, was among those who expressed grief.

  • International media, including The New York Times, covered his story.

Mohammed Barakat

1984 – 2024

Mohammed Barakat, a renowned Palestinian footballer, was born on June 22, 1984, in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. Known for his outstanding attacking skills and prolific goal-scoring ability, he earned the nickname “The Legend of Khan Younis.”

  • Began his professional career with Shabab Khan Younis Club, where he served as team captain.

  • The first player in Gaza’s football history to score over 100 goals with a single club.

  • Scored a total of 114 goals for Shabab Khan Younis.

  • His last club before his death was Ahly Gaza in the Gaza Premier League.

  • In 2023, the Gaza war and airstrikes on football stadiums — including Ahly Gaza’s home ground — led to the suspension of the league.

  • Represented the Palestinian national football team.

  • Also played for the Palestinian beach soccer team.

  • First Palestinian player in history to reach 100 career goals for one club.

  • Recognized by the Palestinian Football Association as one of the stars of Gaza football.

  • Remembered for his leadership on the pitch and his humble, kind personality off the field.

  • Date: March 11, 2024.

  • Place: Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

  • Killed in an Israeli airstrike on his home, along with three members of his family.

  • Age at death: 39 years.

  • According to the Palestinian Football Association:

    • He was the 177th Palestinian athlete killed since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023.

    • The 90th footballer to be martyred in this war.

  • He was also a hafiz of the entire Qur’an.

  • The Palestinian Football Association issued a statement honoring him as one of Gaza’s football icons.

  • Arab and international media, including Al Jazeera, widely reported on his killing.

  • Former teammates praised both his footballing talent and his kind, social personality.

Nagham Abu Samra

1996 – 2024

Nagham Abu Samra was a karate champion and a member of the Palestinian national team, recognized as one of Gaza’s most inspiring sports figures. Alongside her athletic achievements, she played a key role in empowering Palestinian women and girls through social and educational initiatives.

  • Education: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physical Education from Al-Aqsa University, Gaza.

  • Social Activities: Founded a karate club for girls in 2021 to encourage women in Gaza to embrace sports and inner strength.

  • Achievements:

    • Second place in the Palestinian Karate Championship (2017 and 2018).

    • First place in the Gaza Strip.

  • Olympics: Considered one of Palestine’s hopefuls for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

  • Incident: On December 17, 2023, an Israeli airstrike targeted her family’s home in the Nuseirat refugee camp.

  • Injuries: She suffered the amputation of her right leg and a brain hemorrhage, and fell into a coma.

  • Martyrdom: After being transferred to a hospital in Al-Arish, Egypt, she was pronounced dead on January 11, 2024.

  • Family: Her sister, Rozan Abu Samra, was also killed in the same attack.

  • Her father, Marwan Abu Samra, described her as “the most beautiful karate player in the world.”

Condemnation and Support

  • Francesca Albanese (UN Special Rapporteur): Called for international action and an arms embargo on Israel.

  • People’s Tribunal Against Genocide: Cited her death as an example of war crimes in Gaza.

  • Human rights groups (such as Avaaz): Urged the IOC and sports bodies to sanction Israel.

  • Activists and artists: Paid tribute by sharing images and videos, including an AI-generated video narrating her life story.

Silence and Inaction

  • IOC (International Olympic Committee): Remained silent on her death, drawing widespread criticism.

  • Global sports federations and UEFA: Issued limited statements without addressing the cause of Palestinian athletes’ deaths.

  • Palestinian Olympic Committee: Declared her a national champion and vowed to honor her memory.

  • Solidarity groups abroad: In the UK, the campaign “Kites in Solidarity” was launched to commemorate her and other martyred Palestinian athletes.

Nagham Abu Samra became a symbol of resistance, hope, and inspiration for Palestinian women athletes. Her death dealt a heavy blow to the Palestinian sports community, but her memory continues to live on among athletes and supporters.

Rashid Dabour

1995 – 2023

Rashid Dabour was a defender for the Palestinian national football team and Al-Ahli Beit Hanoun club in the Gaza Strip. He was killed, along with several members of his family, in an Israeli airstrike on his home in Beit Hanoun on October 10, 2023.

  • Education: Graduated from Hail Abdul Hamid High School; earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Al-Quds Open University.

  • Club Career: Played for Al-Ahli Beit Hanoun.

  • Achievements:

    • Participated in five matches and scored two goals in the 2023–2024 Gaza League season.

    • Won the Gaza Second Division League title in 2016 with his team.

  • Position: Defender.

  • National Team: Represented the Palestinian national football team.

  • Incident: On October 10, 2023, an Israeli airstrike targeted his family home in Beit Hanoun, Gaza.

  • Outcome: Rasheed Dabour was martyred alongside members of his family after their house collapsed under the bombardment.

Condemnation and Support

  • Palestinian Football Association (PFA): Documented his death along with other athletes and submitted reports to FIFA.

  • Mohammed Rashid, captain of Palestine’s national team: Described Israel’s actions as “sports genocide.”

  • Activists and media outlets: Framed his death as part of a systematic attack on Palestinian sports.

Silence and Double Standards

  • FIFA and UEFA: Did not issue any direct statement on Dabour’s death up until late 2024, while quickly sanctioning Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

  • Vague statements: Global sports bodies released generic condolences without naming Israel as responsible.

  • Criticism: Figures such as Eric Cantona condemned FIFA and UEFA’s silence, calling it “hypocrisy” and evidence of “double standards.”

Rasheed Dabour is remembered not only as a talented defender and national player but also as a symbol of sacrifice in Palestinian sports. His memory continues to inspire Palestinian athletes and football fans.

Hani Al-Masdar

1981 – 2024

Hani Al-Masdar, a former footballer and prominent coach of the Palestine Olympic team, was martyred on January 6, 2024, in an Israeli airstrike on his home in Al-Masdar village, Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. He was 42 years old and regarded as an inspirational figure in Palestinian football.

  • Began his career with Al-Maghazi, later joined Gaza Sport; retired in 2018.

  • Coached several clubs, including Al-Aqsa, Khadamat Al-Nuseirat, and Ittihad Deir al-Balah, achieving promotion of Ittihad Deir al-Balah from Division Two to Division One (South).

  • Joined the Palestine Olympic team’s staff in 2021 as General Manager, participating in:

    • AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers (2021 Jordan, 2023 Bahrain)

    • WAFF Championship (2023 Iraq)

    • Arab Games (2023 Algeria)

    • Asian Games (2023 China)

  • Acted as General Manager overseeing training programs and tactical preparation.

  • Worked closely with head coach Ihab Abu Jazar in decision-making.

  • Served as a bridge between staff and players; respected as a mentor and role model for young athletes.

  • Killed by shrapnel from an Israeli missile near his home.

  • The Palestinian Football Association and sports bodies mourned his loss.

  • By that time, more than 88 Palestinian athletes, including 67 footballers and 24 coaches/staff, had been killed since October 7, 2023.

  • Tributes on social media honored him as a “legend.”

Hani Al-Masdar remains remembered as a symbol of leadership, integrity, and inspiration. His martyrdom was a major loss for Palestinian football.

Mohammed Salah Al-Dalou

1968 – 2023

Mohammed Salah Rashid Al-Dalou, president of the Palestinian Table Tennis Federation and a prominent sports figure in Palestine, was martyred on October 15, 2023, along with his wife and children, in an Israeli airstrike targeting his home in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City.

  • Date: October 15, 2023.

  • Location: His home in Tel al-Hawa, southwest Gaza.

  • Family: His wife and children were also killed in the strike.

  • Context: Part of broader Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

  • International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF): Issued a statement on October 16 expressing condolences but avoided naming the perpetrator.

  • Regional federations: The table tennis federations of Egypt and Jordan, as well as the Palestinian Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, condemned his killing.

  • Postponed events: The Arab Table Tennis Championships, scheduled for November 2023 in Beirut, were postponed due to his death.

His martyrdom highlighted the systematic targeting of Palestinian sports figures and the silence of major international institutions regarding such crimes.

Majed Abu Maraheel

1963 – 2024

Majed Abu Maraheel, a marathon runner, was the first Palestinian athlete to participate in the Olympic Games. He carried the Palestinian flag at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, marking a historic milestone and becoming a national sports icon.

  • Birth: June 5, 1963, in Nuseirat Refugee Camp, Gaza.

  • Olympics: Competed in the 10,000m race at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and served as Palestine’s first flag bearer.

  • Message of Peace: Frequently stated, “I run for peace, and only for peace.”

  • Coaching: Dedicated his post-athletic career to coaching the next generation of Palestinian runners, training athletes such as Nader Al-Masri, Bahaa Al-Farra, and Woroud Sawalha.

  • Injury: At age 27, he was shot and injured by Israeli forces during a training session in Gaza.

  • Date: June 12, 2024

  • Cause: Kidney failure, worsened by the blockade of Gaza and destruction of medical infrastructure, which prevented access to proper treatment.

  • Conditions: His family attempted to transfer him through the Rafah crossing to Egypt for treatment, but the border was closed.

  • Age at death: 61

  • Media & Athletes: His death drew wide international coverage, with many remembering him as a “symbol of Palestine.”

  • Paris 2024 Olympics: Palestinian athletes honored his legacy during the games.

  • International Olympic Committee (IOC): Did not issue a statement, leading to strong criticism.

Majed Abu Maraheel remains a historic figure in Palestinian sports. As Palestine’s first Olympian, he symbolized hope, resilience, and peace, leaving behind a lasting legacy for future generations of athletes.

Allam Abdullah Al-Amour

2006 – 2025

Allam Al-Amour was a promising young Palestinian athlete who had already made his mark by winning a bronze medal in the 3000m event at the West Asia Junior Athletics Championships. He was considered one of the rising stars of Palestinian sports.

  • Date: August 27, 2025

  • Location: Near a GHF humanitarian aid distribution center in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip

  • Circumstances: While attempting to collect food aid for his family, he was shot in the head by Israeli forces and later died from his injuries.

  • Palestinian Athletics Federation: Condemned his killing, stating: “Instead of carrying food for his family, Allam carried a bullet to his head.”

  • Activists & Social Media: His death quickly spread online, sparking outrage and sorrow among supporters of Palestine worldwide.

  • Sports Casualties Count: His martyrdom added to the growing toll of Palestinian athletes killed during the war. By then, the Palestinian Football Association reported over 774 sports community members had been killed.

Allam Al-Amour embodied hope for Palestinian athletics. His untimely death was not only a loss to Palestinian sports but also a stark symbol of the destruction of young talent under siege and violence.

Ahmed Al-Dalou

1992 – 2025

Ahmed Al-Dalou was a Palestinian paracyclist and a member of the Gaza Sunbirds team, celebrated as a symbol of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. He was killed on May 19, 2025, in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. He was 33 years old and the father of four children.

  • Previous Injury: In 2014, he lost one of his legs in an Israeli airstrike.

  • Athletic Path: After his injury, he first joined para-football before becoming a member of the Gaza Sunbirds paracycling team.

  • Bicycle Mechanic: Worked as a bicycle mechanic until the Gaza blockade tightened in November 2023.

  • Humanitarian Work: During the war, he actively participated in the team’s humanitarian efforts, delivering aid and assistance to displaced families.

  • Family: Father of four children.

  • Date and Place: May 19, 2025, in Khan Younis, where he and his family had been displaced.

  • Circumstances: Killed in an Israeli airstrike.

  • Gaza Sunbirds Statement: Confirmed his death and honored him as “a symbol of resilience and hope.”

  • Media Coverage: Outlets including The Guardian, Sky News, and AJ+ highlighted his life and death as a powerful story of loss and resistance.

  • Human Rights Activists: Many emphasized the tragic irony that 11 years after losing his leg in a bombing, he was killed in another airstrike.

Mohammed Shalaan

1985 – 2025

Mohammed Shalaan, a former member of the Palestinian national basketball team and one of Gaza’s most prominent basketball stars, was martyred on August 19 or 20, 2025. He was shot dead by Israeli forces in Khan Younis while standing in line to collect humanitarian aid for his family, particularly for his daughter Maryam, who was suffering from kidney failure.

  • National Team: Represented Palestine in basketball from 2005 to 2012.

  • Clubs: Played for Al-Bureij Services, Al-Maghazi Services, and Khan Younis Services.

  • Nickname: Known as “The Earthquake” for his strength and dominance on the court.

  • Location: Near a humanitarian aid distribution center in Khan Younis.

  • Circumstances: He was waiting to collect food and medicine for his family, including his ill daughter Maryam, when he was fatally shot by Israeli soldiers.

  • Confirmation: The Palestinian Basketball Federation confirmed his death and added his name to the long list of fallen Palestinian athletes.

  • Local & Public: His death sparked widespread grief and anger across Palestinian social media, where he was hailed as a symbol of both suffering and resilience.

  • Media Coverage: Outlets such as AA, TRT World, AIPS, and Middle East Eye reported on his killing.

  • Double Standards: International sports bodies, including FIBA, failed to issue any statement, prompting criticism of the double standards in global sports institutions.

Mohammed Khattab

1980 – 2024

Mohammed Khattab was a Palestinian football referee, recognized as an international assistant referee by FIFA since 2020. He officiated in numerous Asian and Arab competitions and was regarded as one of Palestine’s most accomplished officials.

  • FIFA Recognition: Certified as a FIFA assistant referee in 2020.

  • Tournaments: Officiated in various Asian and Arab regional competitions.

  • Role Model: As one of the few internationally recognized Palestinian referees, Khattab served as an inspiration for young referees across Palestine.

  • Date: February 20 or 21, 2024.

  • Place: His family home in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.

  • Casualties: Killed alongside his wife, four children, and 22 extended family members in an Israeli airstrike.

  • Media Coverage: Widely reported by international outlets, including CNN Sports and Middle East Monitor.

  • Sports Bodies: FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation expressed condolences but avoided naming the perpetrator, a stance that drew criticism.

  • Public Response: Fans and activists highlighted his killing as another stark example of the devastating toll the war has taken on Palestinian athletes and sports figures.

Mohammed Ramez Al-Sultan

2011 – 2025

Mohammed Ramez Al-Sultan was a 14-year-old football player from Gaza and a member of Al-Hilal Club’s youth team. He was killed in an Israeli airstrike in September 2025, along with several members of his family.

  • Club: Played for Al-Hilal Gaza youth teams.

  • Academy Graduate: Considered one of the promising young talents nurtured by the Al-Hilal football academy.

  • Date: September 12, 2025.

  • Place: His family home in northern Gaza.

  • Victims: Killed together with his father and 14 relatives. Some reports raised the death toll in his extended family to 43.

  • Confirmation: The Palestinian Football Association officially confirmed his death.

  • Context: His killing came just days after another Al-Hilal youth player, Malek Abu Al-Amareen, was killed on September 6, 2025.

  • Statements: Both Al-Hilal Club and the Palestinian Football Association issued condolences and condemned the targeting of athletes.

  • Sports Casualties: His death highlighted the severe toll on Palestinian sports. By August 26, 2025, PFA President Jibril Rajoub reported that 774 members of the Palestinian sports community had been killed since the start of the war.

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