Israeli military links Gaza soccer players to Hamas and PIJ militias

On July 22, the Israel Defense Forces published details that twelve Gaza-based athletes killed in the conflict were also affiliated with Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The roster features Abdullah Khattab, a rising soccer talent who simultaneously commanded a PIJ tank unit, as well as defender Ahmed Mohammed Hassan Abu Al-Atta, goalkeeper Mahmoud Osama al Jazzar, youth coach Mohammad Mansour and referee Mohammed Khattab, each linked to senior militant positions.

The IDF’s release counters claims by activist groups and the Palestinian Football Association that Israel singled out footballers during the 2026 World Cup cycle. The PFA, which has listed more than a thousand athletes as “martyred,” appears to breach FIFA statutes that require political neutrality and prohibit discrimination. The article urges FIFA and the PFA to enforce their own regulations and scrutinize the vetting of officials. It concludes that eliminating militant influence from Gaza’s civil institutions, including sports leagues, is essential for a stable future.