Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem al-Ashqar was killed earlier this week by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement on Monday, prompting tributes from football supporters, journalists, fans, and the public on social media.
The PFA said the 32-year-old was killed by Israeli army fire. With Ashqar's death, the association said the number of Palestinian sports figures killed since the start of Israel's war on Gaza has risen to 1,009, inclu
Mding 567 members of the Palestinian football community. It added that Ashqar had married just five months ago and was expecting his first child with his wife.
A relative of Ashqar told Wafa that the goalkeeper was returning home from work when Israeli forces opened fire on unarmed civilians northeast of Hamad City, striking him in the chest. The relative described him as "one of the finest young men" in the community.
News of his death quickly spread online, prompting many to question Fifa's continued refusal to suspend Israel.