Palestinian goalkeeper killed by Israeli forces in Gaza
Saleem Al-Ashqar was shot dead in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported, as Palestinian football officials cite a rising toll among athletes.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
2 min read
Israeli forces shot and killed Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday. The killing adds to a sports community toll that the Palestinian Football Association says has exceeded 1,000 Palestinian athletes since October 2023.
Al-Ashqar had been married for five months, according to Al Jazeera. The broadcaster reported that his wife is pregnant with the couple’s first child.
Football officials cite athlete deaths
The Palestinian Football Association says more than 1,000 Palestinian athletes have been killed since October 2023. The figure was cited by Al Jazeera in its report on Al-Ashqar’s death.
Al Jazeera identified Al-Ashqar as a Palestinian goalkeeper but did not provide further details about his club, age or the precise location in Gaza where he was killed. The report said he was shot dead by Israeli forces.
His death comes amid the continuing war in Gaza, where Palestinian sports bodies have repeatedly reported losses among players, coaches and other athletes. In Al-Ashqar’s case, the available details centered on his role as a goalkeeper and his young family.
The Palestinian Football Association’s count covers athletes killed since October 2023, according to Al Jazeera. The association’s figure was not broken down by sport in the broadcaster’s report.
Al Jazeera published the report on July 1, 2026. No additional comment from Israeli authorities was included in the report.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.