Despite the widespread devastation caused by years of genocidal war, football is making a cautious return in the Gaza Strip. A small tournament now sees 24 local clubs compete in five-a-side matches on just three remaining pitches, drawing dozens of spectators seeking a fleeting sense of normality. For many, these games represent more than sport, they are a statement of resilience, showing the determination of Gaza’s youth to reclaim public spaces and community life despite the destruction surrounding them.

Organised by the Palestinian Football Association, the competition includes teams from the premier and first divisions across the enclave. Beyond the matches themselves, the initiative provides limited income for players, coaches and support staff whose livelihoods were disrupted by the ongoing genocidal war. For participants and spectators alike, the return to the pitch offers a vital outlet for coping with loss, displacement and the psychological strain inflicted on the community.

The damage to Gaza’s sporting infrastructure remains severe. Around 265 sports facilities have been destroyed, leaving nearly 90 per cent of fields unusable. Thousands of members of the sports and youth movement have been killed, including dozens of women athletes, and several remain missing. Yet, in the shadow of this devastation, players, coaches and supporters continue to gather on the surviving pitches, determined to keep football alive while the wider humanitarian crisis persists.