The Israeli Defense Forces have recently addressed allegations that they deliberately target Palestinian athletes in the Gaza Strip, asserting that such claims are part of a broader effort to delegitimize Israel.
The IDF's Revelation
In a detailed briefing, the IDF disclosed that a number of Gaza‑based soccer players, referees and coaches are in fact members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, organizations designated as terrorist groups. According to the military, these individuals had been presented internationally as mere sports figures while concealing their militant activities.
The revelation forms part of a campaign the IDF says is intended to present the full facts and to refute false narratives that accuse Israel of targeting the civilian sports community.
Identities Revealed
Among those named by the IDF are Mohammed Mohammed Hassan Barakat, Mahmoud Kamal Mohammad Ali Al‑Rifi, Mohammed Mansour, Ahmed Mohammed Hassan Abu Al‑Atta, Abdullah Riyadh Abdullah Khattab, Mohammed Sami Mohammed Khattab, Ali Mahmoud Ahmed Al‑Kurd, Mohammad Emad Ata Hussouna, Tariq Ziad Hussein Al‑Hour, Mohammed Ziad Hussein Al‑Hour, Mahmoud Osama Al‑Jazzar and Mohammad Nidal Mohammed Al‑Hawajri. Each of these individuals holds a specific role within the militant structures, ranging from platoon commander to combat operative.
The IDF has indicated that it will continue to expose similar cases, aiming to present a comprehensive picture of the intertwining of sport and terrorism in the region.