Football Amidst War: Palestinian Amputees Train In War-Stricken Area Of Gaza

Gaza’s main soccer stadium was leveled during the Israel-Hamas war and it now serves as a tent camp for displaced families. In the Jabalia camp, however, the Palestinian Football Federation has carved out a new space for the game. They have cleared rubble, laid down worn artificial turf and erected a fence beside the remains of destroyed buildings. Palestinian amputees trained on the improvised field on Wednesday and on Saturday, two local teams faced off in a game on the same ground. Despite widespread destruction from the war and a fragile ceasefire, many here are reclaiming fragments of ordinary life, including soccer.

Updated on: 15 February 2026 5:25 pm

Palestinian players of Gaza Sports Club and Al-Ahly Club take part in a soccer match at a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli ground and air operations, in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi

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Palestinians Gaza Soccer photo-amputee soccer players

Palestinian amputee soccer players train on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli army bombardments during the Israel-Hamas war, in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi

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Palestinian amputee soccer players train on a newly built field in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi

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Palestinians Gaza Soccer photo-Al-Ahly Club warm up

Palestinian players of Al-Ahly Club warm up before a soccer match with Gaza Sports Club at a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli ground and air operations, in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi

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A Palestinian player of Gaza Sports Club, left, controls the ball during a soccer match with Al-Ahly Club at a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli ground and air operations, in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi

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A Palestinian player of Gaza Sports Club, center left, kicks the ball during a soccer match with Al-Ahly Club at a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli ground and air operations, in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi

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Palestinian players of Gaza Sports Club, top center, and Al-Ahly Club, left, vie for the ball during a soccer match at a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli ground and air operations, in Gaza City.5 | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshra

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Palestinians Gaza Soccer photo-Al-Ahly Club

A Palestinian player of Al-Ahly Club kicks the ball during a soccer match with Gaza Sports Club at a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli ground and air operations, in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi

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Palestinians watch a soccer match between Al-Ahly Club and Gaza Sports Club at a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli ground and air operations, in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi

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Palestinian players of Gaza Sports Club, top center, and Al-Ahly Club, vie for the ball during a soccer match at a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli ground and air operations, in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi

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A Palestinian player of Gaza Sports Club, left, kicks the ball during a soccer match with Al-Ahly Club at a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli ground and air operations, in Gaza City. | Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi