IDF Names 11 Palestinian Soccer Players as Hamas Militants as FIFA Rejects Israel Ban
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 22
IDF Names 11 Palestinian Soccer Players as Hamas Militants as FIFA Rejects Israel Ban
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 22
Summary
The IDF said 11 Palestinian soccer players, along with referees and coaches, were identified after intelligence reviews as members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad and were killed in Israeli strikes during the war.
Three of the named players were allegedly involved in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, while others held operational or leadership roles, according to the Israeli military's statement to rebut claims it targeted athletes as civilians.
The disclosure answers a broader campaign by Palestinian sports officials, who have cited deaths in Gaza's athletic community to press FIFA and the IOC to suspend Israel from international competition.
About 1,009 members of the Palestinian athletic community have been killed since the war began, the Palestinian Football Association said earlier this month, a toll central to its lobbying effort.
FIFA ultimately declined to suspend Israel, instead fining the Israel Football Association 150,000 Swiss francs and ordering anti-discrimination measures and matchday banners.