Palestinian football coach calls his role ‘hardest job’ amid Israeli genocide in Gaza

Ihab Abu Jazar, head coach of the Palestinian national football team, has opened up about the extraordinary challenges of leading the squad in the midst of Israel's ongoing genocidal war against the people of Gaza.

Born in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip has been “razed to the ground,” Abu Jazar describes his role as the “hardest job in the world of football.”

In an interview with Italian outlet Gazzetta on Monday, Abu Jazar shared the toll of living in Gaza. “In these situations, you feel empty and isolated, as if a part of you is missing and you don’t know when it will return,” he said.

The constant fear of receiving devastating news haunts him and his players. “The sound of our mobile phones is a source of anxiety for millions of people and may announce the death of a family member or friend,” he said.

Palestinian football star killed by Israel while waiting for food

The Israeli regime’s forces have killed the former captain of the Palestinian national football team in Gaza.

Beyond the emotional strain, logistical challenges make even basic team operations a struggle. Abu Jazar highlighted the grueling reality of navigating Israeli-controlled checkpoints, where traveling just one kilometer can take five to eight hours.

“This is the first sign that you understand how difficult it is to be part of the Palestinian national team,” he said.

The team has been unable to play home matches for six years due to restrictions and inspections, which Abu Jazer called an Israeli occupation that stifles sport.

“You cannot coach a team that plays in front of fans or gathers on your own soil,” he said. “Your role goes beyond sports; you turn pain into strength. Coaching Palestine is a form of resistance.”

He emphasized that his players are a “voice of the people,” bringing hope through football.

“Every message we send through football is a fight for freedom,” he said.

Israel's genocidal war has decimated Palestinian sports infrastructure, with over 280 facilities damaged or destroyed, some reportedly used to hold prisoners.

Abu Jazar noted that 774 athletes have died in the Israeli aggression.

He shared personal losses, including the death of his assistant, Hani Al-Masdar, killed while delivering aid in Gaza, and Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Ladder,” killed while waiting for food.

Israel has killed over 700 athletes in Gaza since October 2023

Thousands of civilians have been killed as the Israeli regime keeps pounding the besieged Gaza Strip indiscriminately since October 2023.

On the eve of Italy’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Israel, Abu Jazar called on Italian fans to honor Gaza’s victims with a minute of silence before the match, raise the Palestinian flag, and chant in solidarity.

While not opposing the game, he urged it to serve as a reminder of the ongoing suffering of Palestinians at the hands of Israel.

“Every day a nation is killed, and those who play against Italy are killing this nation,” he said, referring to the Israeli regime.

“We have players who lost their mothers, fathers, or brothers, and we want to show through football that the image Israel has painted is wrong.”

He referenced Italy’s 1982 World Cup win, dedicated to the Palestinian people, as a call for continued support.

Despite these hardships, Abu Jazar remains committed to leading the team, a symbol of resilience for Palestinians.

His words shed light on the unique struggles faced by athletes in the Gaza Strip, where the pursuit of sport is intertwined with survival.

The Palestinian Football Federation president also criticized FIFA’s silence on Israel’s actions, calling it “complicity with the occupiers,” underscoring the broader struggle for recognition and justice.

Footballers deliberately killed by Israel in Gaza

More than 350 football players have been killed by the Israeli regime in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli regime continues its genocidal campaign in Gaza, killing more civilians and wiping out entire families in relentless air and artillery strikes.

The overall death toll from the regime’s genocide since October 2023 has climbed to nearly 64,500, with more than 162,360 others injured.

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