Algerian Radio
The total number of Palestinian martyrs from the sports sector in the southern governorates has reached 1,007 since the beginning of the Zionist aggression on the Gaza Strip, which has caused severe damage to both human resources and sports infrastructure and facilities, according to a report by the competent authorities, cited by the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) today, Tuesday.
The report issued by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) showed that from October 7, 2023, until February 12, 2026, the total number of martyrs from federations, clubs, youth, and scout organizations reached 1,007 (962 males and 45 females). The affected categories included players, coaches, administrators, referees, presidents, and members of administrative boards, as well as staff working in sports federations and institutions.
It indicated that the Palestinian Football Association recorded the highest number of victims with 565 martyrs, followed by various Olympic federations with 317 martyrs, and then the Palestinian Scout and Guide Association with 125 martyrs.
The total number of damaged facilities, stadiums, halls, and administrative headquarters reached 265, distributed as follows: 184 facilities completely destroyed, and 81 facilities partially destroyed.
The damage included main stadiums, covered halls, club headquarters, sports institutions, approved football fields, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, swimming pools, and fitness halls, in addition to the only athletics track in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, some main stadiums, including the Yarmouk Stadium, Palestine Stadium, and Al-Durrah Stadium, have been turned into shelters for displaced persons.
The number of missing persons from the sports movement reached five, including players, coaches, and administrators in a number of sports clubs.
The Association stated that these figures confirm the scale of the immense losses suffered by the sports sector in the southern governorates, and the profound impacts on the trajectory of the Palestinian sports movement, whether in terms of human resources or sports infrastructure and facilities.
Over more than two years, the Zionist occupation has committed genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and displacement, ignoring international calls and the orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to stop it.
