Saleem Khader al‑Ashqar, a 32‑year‑old Palestinian goalkeeper, was killed by Israeli forces while he was searching for cooking gas in the town of al‑Qarara, northeast of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
The news of his death arrived at a moment when he and his wife were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child, a joy that was abruptly cut short by the bullet that struck him down. As the only brother among six sisters, Saleem carried the hopes of a close‑knit family that had recently celebrated his wedding.
His death is part of a wider tragedy that has claimed more than a thousand Palestinian athletes since the conflict began, with 567 footballers alone losing their lives in what local officials describe as the football sector’s own casualty count.
A Community in Mourning
Saleem had played for several local clubs, including Al‑Aqsa, Shabab Khan Younis, Al‑Masdar and Khadamat Khan Younis, and he often spoke of football as a way to represent his homeland and its people, valuing that role above material gain.
Abdulghani al‑Sheikh, president of Khadamat Khan Younis, called the killing “a shocking and harsh blow to the club,” reflecting the deep sense of loss felt across the community.
Despite the destruction of stadiums, training grounds and administrative headquarters, the Palestinian Football Association has managed to launch consecutive local tournaments for both the premier and youth leagues, a testament to the resilience of Gaza’s sporting spirit.
Khadamat Khan Younis is currently repairing a damaged indoor sports hall with the help of volunteers, while the club’s leadership pledges to honor Saleem’s memory by ensuring that football continues to be played by the next generation.
Captain Farid Al‑Ashqar has accused FIFA and other international federations of hypocrisy, alleging a disturbing silence regarding attacks on Gaza’s footballers.
The ongoing effort to rebuild and sustain sporting activities underscores a broader determination to keep alive a cultural tradition that has long united Palestinians across generations.