Organised Football Returns to Gaza After Two-Year Absence
Amid the widespread devastation of Gaza, a worn-out five-a-side pitch became a temporary beacon of resilience as the strip hosted its first organised football tournament in more than two years. On a patch of artificial turf cleared of rubble in the ruins of Gaza City's Tal al-Hawa district, Jabalia Youth faced Al-Sadaqa, while Beit Hanoun took on Al-Shujaiya in matches that symbolised a fragile return to normalcy.
Matches End in Draws as Spectators Cheer Enthusiastically
Both matches concluded in draws, yet the spectators, including boys peering through holes in concrete walls and a drummer setting the rhythm, cheered enthusiastically, shaking the chain-link fence surrounding the Palestine Pitch. The event marked a rare moment of communal gathering in an area where daily life remains dominated by survival struggles.
Players Express Mixed Emotions of Joy and Sorrow
Youssef Jendiya, a 21-year-old player for Jabalia Youth from an area largely depopulated by Israeli forces, described his return to the pitch with conflicting emotions. "Confused. Happy, sad, joyful, happy," he stated, articulating the complex reality of finding brief happiness amidst ongoing tragedy.
He further explained the stark contrast of daily existence in Gaza: "People search for water in the morning: food, bread. Life is a little difficult. But there is a little left of the day, when you can come and play soccer and express some of the joy inside you." However, the joy remained incomplete, as he added, "You come to the stadium missing many of your teammates... killed, injured, or those who travelled for treatment."
Reconstruction Remains Minimal Four Months After Ceasefire
Four months after a ceasefire halted major fighting, reconstruction efforts across Gaza remain almost non-existent. Israeli forces have ordered residents out of nearly two-thirds of the strip, forcing over two million people into a narrow coastal area, with many living in makeshift tents or damaged buildings.
The former 9,000-seat Yarmouk Stadium, which was levelled by Israeli forces and used as a detention centre during the conflict, now houses displaced families in white tents on what was once its pitch, highlighting the ongoing displacement crisis.
Football Association Organises Tournament Amid Challenges
For this tournament, the Football Association managed to clear debris from a collapsed wall, erect a fence, and sweep the old artificial turf to create a playable space. Amjad Abu Awda, a 31-year-old player for Beit Hanoun, emphasised the symbolic importance of the event.
"We are delivering a message. That no matter what happened in terms of destruction and genocidal war, we continue with playing, and with life. Life must continue," he stated, reflecting the determination of Gazans to maintain cultural and social activities despite overwhelming obstacles.
The tournament, while small in scale, represented a significant effort to restore elements of ordinary life in a territory where organised sports had been absent for over twenty-four months due to conflict and destruction.
