Football on ruins: Gaza’s orphans find refuge on the pitch | Conflict
Gaza Teen Becomes Sole Provider After Family’s Tragic Loss Amid Ongoing Conflict
JABALIA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza — Sixteen-year-old Mohammed Eyad Azzam describes his life before the ongoing conflict as one of comfort and stability. However, a targeted Israeli airstrike on October 11, 2024, shattered that existence when it killed his immediate family, leaving him the sole caretaker for his elderly grandmother.
On the morning of the attack, Mohammed was at home in the Jabalia refugee camp with his parents and two brothers when an Israeli warplane struck their multi-story building, burying them under the rubble. “I was sitting safely with my parents and my two older brothers … I was buried under the rubble for about 10 minutes,” he recalled.
His grandmother managed to dig him out, and he emerged to find himself in a neighbor’s house, connected to a ventilator. “I survived by a miracle,” he said.
Due to relentless bombing, Mohammed was unable to hold a proper funeral for his parents and brothers. Instead, he buried them in a makeshift plot of land nearby. Now, the teenager has been thrust into adulthood, living amongst thousands displaced at the Shati refugee camp, where he spends his days lighting fires and hauling heavy water containers for his grandmother.
“My life flipped from happiness to grief,” he stated. “I used to be pampered, but now I am responsible for everything.”
Despite the challenges he faces, football has become Mohammed’s refuge. Before the conflict, he was a promising player for the Khadamat Jabalia football club. However, the club no longer operates, and many of his teammates have perished.
In a rare initiative, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) organized a tournament for young players born in 2009 at one of the few remaining locations in Gaza suitable for football. For Mohammed, wearing his boots represents one of the few ways to escape from the weight of his loss, though the fields evoke memories of what he once had.
“It removes the boredom and releases our negative energy,” he explained. Still, he notes the absence of familial support: “Most of my teammates have their brothers and fathers there to motivate and encourage them. I have no one to cheer for me now. I miss them so much.”
Infrastructure in Ruins
Mohammed’s experience illustrates a broader crisis within Palestinian sports, particularly as systematic destruction of infrastructure continues in Gaza. Mustafa Siyam, head of the media department at the PFA, highlighted the plight of talented children like Mohammed: “He is one of tens of thousands who have lost their families, their clubs, their academies, and their education.”
The statistics are alarming: The Israeli offensive has reportedly resulted in the deaths of 1,113 individuals associated with the sports sector, including over 560 football players, coaches, and administrators. Furthermore, 265 sports facilities have been damaged or destroyed since the escalation of violence in October 2023.
The Khadamat Jabalia club was also affected and temporarily converted into a detention center during the invasion.
Life-Threatening Journeys to Play
With primary stadiums destroyed or repurposed, youth tournaments are now taking place on just three small fields scattered across Gaza. However, reaching these locations poses significant risks. Mohammed described the journey: “We walk 3-4 km through tents and rubble to reach the pitch. It drains you psychologically before you even step onto the field,” he stated.
Siyam acknowledged these grave dangers but emphasized the resilience of Gaza’s youth: “The security situation remains extremely dangerous… The determination of the players and the association pushes us to resume activities.”
Frustration with International Governing Bodies
As they strive to maintain a semblance of normalcy, Palestinian sports officials are expressing discontent with the international community, particularly the FIFA governing body. They note a stark contrast in FIFA’s swift actions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine and its muted response to the situation in Palestine.
Siyam criticized FIFA for its inaction, reflecting on the targeted killings of athletes and the operational challenges faced by clubs. “When it comes to Palestine, unfortunately, there are no decisions; FIFA’s position is very weak.”
The PFA is pursuing justice through international sports tribunals in light of these concerns.
Holding Onto Dreams
Amid the destruction and chaos, young players like Mohammed cling to football as a way to honor the memories of their loved ones. “I could never have imagined reaching a point where I am entirely alone,” he stated.
His aspiration remains steadfast: “My dream now is to become a famous, professional football player. Because that was my dream, and it was the dream of my mother and my father, may God have mercy on them.” Mohammed’s father was instrumental in getting him involved in football, while his mother was his biggest supporter.
As he navigates his new reality, Mohammed finds solace in the sport, striving to fulfill not only his ambitions but also the legacy of his family.
