Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar killed in ‘Israeli’ strike in Gaza
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Saleem Khader Al-Ashqar, a 32-year-old goalkeeper for Khadamat Khan Younis , was killed on Monday, after being shot by ‘Israeli’ forces in the town of Al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
According to reports from the Palestinian Football Association and WAFA news agency, Al-Ashqar was struck while in the area.
He had previously played for Al-Aqsa and Al-Musaddar sports clubs during his career in Gaza.
Al-Ashqar had been married for only five months and was expecting his first child. He was the only son among seven siblings, making his loss particularly profound for his family.
His death contributes to a grim tally: the number of Palestinian sports community members killed since the escalation of the conflict in October 2023 has reached 1,009, including 567 associated with football.
The incident occurs as the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolds in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, currently in the Round of 32 stage.
While global audiences enjoy matches in state-of-the-art stadiums, Palestinians in Gaza face severe challenges in following the tournament due to power outages, displacement, and ongoing hostilities.
Palestinian sports officials and local media have mourned Al-Ashqar as another victim in a long list of athletes affected by the aggression. His funeral in Khan Younis highlighted community grief and calls for attention to the human cost beyond the fields.
