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ConflictIsrael says 12 killed Palestinian football figures were militants; Palestinian officials deny
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The Israeli army released a statement on Thursday claiming that 12 Palestinian football figures killed during the Gaza war were members of armed groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The named individuals include a FIFA assistant referee and others accused of participating in the October 7, 2023 attacks. The Palestinian Football Association rejected the accusations, calling them an attempt to cover up Israeli killings of players, coaches, referees, and club officials. An anonymous official stated that most were killed in bombings on their homes or tents, often with their families. AFP could not independently verify the claims, and neither Hamas nor Islamic Jihad immediately responded. The war has seen Palestinian football authorities accuse Israel of targeting sports figures and infrastructure, while Israel maintains it only targets fighters and military assets.
Source report
The Israeli army stated on Thursday that 12 Palestinian football figures killed during the war in Gaza were members of armed groups—allegations rejected by a Palestinian Football Association official.
Israeli Army Statement
In a statement, the Israeli army explained that it decided to release the names of these individuals to refute what it called a "false accusation" that Israel deliberately targeted football personalities in the Gaza Strip.
"The Israeli army now reveals the identity of Palestinian football players, referees, and coaches who were presented as innocent sportsmen and civilians, but who, in reality, acted as terrorists in the military branches of Hamas and Islamic Jihad," the army said.
According to the same source:
- Several of the named individuals held command positions in the armed groups
- Others were fighters
Among those named was Mohammed Sami Mohammed Khattab, a FIFA assistant referee whom the army presents as a member of Islamic Jihad.
Additionally, the Israeli army accuses at least two of these 12 men of participating in the Hamas-led attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered a devastating war in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian Response
The Palestinian Football Association firmly rejected these accusations.
"Israel is trying to cover up its crimes of killing players, coaches, referees, and football club officials with false accusations," said an official speaking anonymously for security reasons.
"Most of the people whose names are mentioned in the statement were killed during Israeli bombings and attacks on their homes or tents, some with their families," he added.
Verification and Context
The French news agency AFP was unable to independently verify the army's accusations, and neither Hamas nor Islamic Jihad immediately responded.
Throughout the war, Palestinian football authorities have accused Israel of killing players and damaging sports infrastructure in Gaza.
Israel, for its part, says it exclusively targets fighters and military infrastructure, while accusing Hamas and other armed groups of operating in civilian areas.
Source
RecordWestern
Part of this Story
Israel Accuses 12 Killed Palestinian Football Figures of Militant Ties; Palestinian Officials Deny