Key facts
- Israel's 'yellow line' buffer zone in Gaza now covers 70% of the territory, leading to repeated Palestinian displacements.
- A Palestinian family alleges their three-year-old son was killed and father injured by Israeli forces near the buffer zone.
- Despite widespread destruction and ongoing conflict, Gazans are attempting to watch the World Cup from shelters and cafes.
- The Palestinian Football Association states 1,000 athletes are among the 73,000 Palestinians killed since the conflict began.
- Approximately 285 sports facilities in Gaza have been destroyed, with some stadiums repurposed by Israeli forces.
Despite the ongoing conflict and destruction in Gaza, Palestinians are finding ways to connect with the outside world, including watching the World Cup. Fadi Al-Arawi, a former footballer in the Gaza Strip Premier League, like many Gazans, has lost his home and cannot play professionally due to the war. He and his friends gathered in a school-turned-shelter, attempting to watch a match on a flickering laptop with intermittent internet and the constant hum of Israeli drones overhead.
Much of Gaza has been destroyed during Israel's two-year military assault, launched after the October 2023 Hamas attacks. The population largely resides in tents and damaged buildings. Some businesses, like Alaa Babli's Royal Cafe in Gaza City, have installed alternative power sources to screen matches, though patrons like Hani Abu Rizq acknowledge the inherent risks of being targeted.
The Palestinian Football Association states that 1,000 athletes are among the 73,000 Palestinians killed since 2023, and around 285 sports facilities have been destroyed. Stadiums, including Gaza City's Al-Yarmouk Stadium where Al-Arawi once played, have been converted into tent cities for displaced families.