The humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip has once again come to light with painful news from the sports community. Ahmed Ashkar, the 32-year-old goalkeeper of Khan Younis Services Club, was seriously wounded when Israeli tanks opened fire directly on him as he searched for a gas cylinder to cook a meal for his family, and he died after being taken to hospital.
Targeted while searching for a cooking gas cylinder
Due to the restrictions imposed by Israel on Gaza, there is a severe shortage of gas cylinders in the region. As the limited amount of gas delivered is insufficient to meet the population's basic needs, many Palestinians have to travel long distances or burn wood, nylon and paper to cook meals.
Mustafa Siyam, general secretary of the Palestinian Sports Media Union, told an AA correspondent that Ashkar had gone to the Karara area northeast of Khan Younis to try to obtain a gas cylinder. Siyam said: "Israeli tanks stationed in the area opened fire directly on Ashkar. The seriously wounded goalkeeper was taken to hospital, but he died due to inadequate medical resources, difficulties in securing blood supplies, and the failure to carry out necessary surgical interventions in time."
He never got to see his first child
Siyam noted that Ashkar leaves behind his wife, who is pregnant with their first child, and added that the fact he was the family's only son deepens the tragedy. In a condolence message issued on Tuesday, the Palestinian Football Federation stated that Ashkar had also played for Al-Aqsa and Masdar clubs alongside Khan Younis Services Club, and was one of the well-known goalkeepers in the local leagues.
Heavy toll on the sports community
Siyam announced that with Ashkar's death, the number of Palestinian athletes, youth and scout members killed in Israeli attacks since 8 October 2023 has reached 1,012. Noting that 567 of this number are footballers, coaches and referees affiliated with the Palestinian Football Federation, Siyam said many stadiums and sports facilities had also been destroyed during the war.
Stressing that Palestinian athletes are paying the same price as other civilians, Siyam criticized the international community, and in particular FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), for failing to take concrete steps to stop the attacks against the Palestinian sports community. He called on these bodies to fulfil their responsibility to protect athletes and facilities in accordance with international conventions.
Attacks continue despite ceasefire
Despite the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in October 2025, attacks and the blockade on the Gaza Strip continue. According to data from the Gaza Health Ministry, 1,059 Palestinians have been killed and 3,429 wounded in attacks since the ceasefire. In the Israeli attacks that have continued since 8 October 2023, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, over 173,000 injured, and roughly 90 percent of civilian infrastructure has been destroyed.
