Children in Gaza are being deprived of the right to play sports.
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Israel targets playgrounds during its genocidal war against Gaza.
Many have been destroyed or badly damaged. Some areas have been repurposed as places of detention, torture, and execution.
This includes Yarmouk Stadium in Gaza City.
A video has gone viral showing Israeli troops ordering Palestinians, including children, to line up on the pitch. Detainees were also filmed being forced to kneel behind their backs.
Hani al-Masdar is also one of the many athletes killed by Israel.
Also known as Abu al-Abed, he was an excellent soccer player who coached the Palestinian Olympic team.
Nagam Abu Samra held a black belt in karate. She had hoped to represent Palestine at the Olympics in Paris later this year.
Her ambitions were dashed. Nagam died from wounds sustained in an Israeli airstrike, and her sister also died.
Ms. Nagam was widely considered a role model for Palestinian girls.
Muhammad Khattab was an international soccer referee. he and his family killed In an attack on Deir Bala in central Gaza.
At least 160 certified athletes have been killed since the massacre began in October.
Many more people who play sports for exercise or pleasure are losing their lives.
Around the world, people participate in and watch sports every day. It's part of everyday life.
It is impossible to live a normal life in Gaza. Israel imposes cruel conditions on society as a whole as part of its attempt to destroy it.
The word “genocide'' is used to describe such an attempt.
Eman Alhaji Ali is a Gaza-based journalist, translator, and writer.
