Al-Ashqar, who played for multiple clubs in Gaza, leaves behind his wife, who is expecting their first child. Israel has killed over 1,000 athletes in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Reposted from The Palestine Chronicle, July 2, 2026
The Palestinian sporting community is mourning the death of goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar, who was killed earlier this week in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).
In a statement, the PFA said Al-Ashqar was killed by Israeli army fire, describing him as one of hundreds of Palestinian sporting figures killed since the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza in October 2023.
The association said that more than 1,000 Palestinian athletes, the majority of them footballers, have been killed during the war, underscoring what it described as the devastating impact of the conflict on Palestinian sport.
Al-Ashqar, 32, had married only five months ago, and his wife is expecting the couple’s first child.
His death prompted an outpouring of grief from relatives, teammates and football supporters around the world.
Among those paying tribute was Chilean club Deportivo Palestino, which stated:
“We deeply mourn the tragic death of 32-year-old Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar. He was killed by the Israeli army. We are deeply saddened by the continuation of such events. We call for justice and peace.”
The latest killing comes as Palestinian football continues to struggle under the impact of the Israeli genocide, with clubs, players and sporting infrastructure suffering extensive losses over the past two years.
WATCH: BOSNIAN FANS CHANTING “PALESTINE” DURING THEIR WORLD CUP GAME AGAINST USA pic.twitter.com/wNMcXbsVGn
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) July 2, 2026
World Cup Solidarity
While Palestinian football mourned another player, supporters from across the globe continued using the 2026 FIFA World Cup to express solidarity with Palestine.
According to Anadolu Agency, Palestinian flags have become a recurring sight inside stadiums and in fan gatherings across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with supporters chanting “Free Palestine” and displaying banners opposing Israel’s war on Gaza.
During Türkiye’s 3-2 victory over the United States, a Turkish supporter waved a Palestinian flag throughout the match behind one of the goals, appearing repeatedly on the television broadcast.
Moroccan supporters also prominently displayed Palestinian flags, both inside stadiums and during large gatherings in New York’s Times Square before matches.
Similar displays were seen during Morocco’s Round of 32 encounter with the Netherlands.
Supporters from Bosnia and Herzegovina carried Palestinian flags during their team’s match against Switzerland, while unveiling a banner reading “Support for Palestine from Sarajevo,” drawing attention to Bosnia’s own experience of genocide during the 1990s.
Palestinian flags were also visible during matches involving France, Brazil, Qatar, Egypt and Iran.
Outside the stadium hosting the Egypt-Iran match in Seattle, a supporter dressed as the Statue of Liberty carried Palestinian and Lebanese flags while calling for freedom for both peoples.
WATCH: BOSNIAN FANS CHANTING “PALESTINE” DURING THEIR WORLD CUP GAME AGAINST USA pic.twitter.com/wNMcXbsVGn
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) July 2, 2026
‘Show Israel the Red Card’
The demonstrations have coincided with a growing international campaign urging FIFA to suspend Israel from international football competitions.
According to Anadolu, supporters and football clubs from numerous countries have backed the call to “Show Israel the Red Card,” arguing that Israel should face sporting sanctions over its military actions in Gaza.
The agency reported that many athletes have also publicly expressed support for Palestine, while several national fan groups have continued raising the issue throughout the tournament.
Neither Palestine nor Israel qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Palestine was forced to play many of its qualifying matches at neutral venues because of the ongoing genocide, while Israel failed to advance through the qualification process.
The Palestinian Football Association says nearly 300 sports facilities have been destroyed since October 2023, further compounding the losses suffered by Palestinian sport alongside the deaths of more than 1,000 athletes.
It’s Bisan from Gaza. The World Cup is here, but Palestinian footballers are struggling to survive a genocide. Meet the young players still playing between the rubble. pic.twitter.com/3agdsk7jj8
— AJ+ (@ajplus) June 29, 2026
*Additionally from Al Jazeera*
The Palestine Chronicle is an EU-based non-profit entity (ETS) dedicated to educating the general public. Their mission is to provide a forum highlighting issues of relevance to human rights, national struggles, freedom, and democracy through daily news, commentary, features, book reviews, videos, photos, and art
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