Palestine Plays Again, With a Thousand Martyrs in Memory
After nearly three years of war and disruption, Palestinian football has returned to the pitch with 244 clubs across Palestine and the diaspora competing in the Thousand Martyrs Cup, honouring athletes killed during Israel’s assault and signalling a fragile revival of the game amid devastation.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Palestinian football returned on Friday after nearly three years of disruption caused by Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, with matches held across the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
The Palestinian Football Association launched the “Thousand Martyrs Cup,” a competition named in memory of Palestinian athletes killed during the Israeli assault.
Opening matches were played simultaneously in all three areas.
In the West Bank, Jabal Al-Mukaber faced Shabab Al-Khalil at Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem.
In Gaza, Khadamat Rafah played Shabab Rafah at Ittihad Deir Al-Balah Club’s stadium, while in Lebanon, Al-Ansar met Al-Nahda at Abu Jihad Al-Wazir Stadium in the Ain Al-Hilweh refugee camp.
A total of 244 clubs from the West Bank, Gaza and the Palestinian diaspora are taking part in the tournament.
The group-stage draw was held simultaneously across the association’s branches on Sept. 1.
Mustafa Siyam, secretary-general of the Palestinian Sports Media Association, said the tournament marked the return of organized sporting activity after more than three seasons of suspension.
He said Israel’s war had devastated Palestinian sports, killing more than 1,000 athletes, including players, coaches and referees, while also destroying sporting infrastructure.
Siyam said the tournament was dedicated to those killed and represented a message that Palestinian sporting life was beginning to return, even under severely limited conditions.
The resumption of matches in Gaza carries particular significance after nearly three years of mass killing, displacement and destruction across the enclave.
Football in the occupied West Bank has also been heavily disrupted by Israeli military raids, movement restrictions and escalating violence, making it difficult for clubs and players to train, travel and compete regularly.
In Lebanon, the tournament is being organized through the association’s diaspora branch and includes Palestinian clubs largely based in refugee camps.
The Palestinian Football Association said the competition is intended to serve as a first step toward the gradual restoration of domestic football.
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