The Palestinian Olympic Committee and the Football Association have reported devastating losses in Gaza’s sports sector due to Israel’s ongoing war since October 7, 2023. The destruction has not only claimed lives but has also severely impacted infrastructure, talent development, and the future of Palestinian sports.

According to official figures, 724 members of the sports and scouting community were killed, including 382 affiliated with the Palestinian Football Association—players, coaches, and administrators. Additionally, 235 athletes from various Olympic sports lost their lives, while the Palestinian Scout Movement confirmed the deaths of 107 scouts. The war has taken a toll on generations of aspiring athletes, depriving Gaza of its promising talents.

The destruction extends beyond human losses, with 287 sports facilities, including stadiums, training halls, swimming pools, and club headquarters, completely reduced to rubble. The deliberate targeting of these spaces has left Palestinian athletes with no infrastructure to train or compete, further deepening the crisis within Gaza’s sporting community.